WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Oakland swimming and diving claimed six event victories, but fell to Purdue in its first Power Four battle of the season at the Morgan J. Burke Aquatic Center.
The Golden Grizzlies opened strong in the men's 200-yard medley relay. Sophomore Ajjuub Ezzat, transfer junior Luke Vickers, junior Archer Jankoviak, and freshman Wade Pyle touched the wall first in 1:26.29, edging the Boilermakers by 0.17 seconds.
Oakland followed with a sweep of the men's 100 breaststroke, led by Vickers' individual victory. The Ohio State transfer, familiar with Big Ten competition, finished first in 53.63 for the sixth-best time in program history. Senior Alexander Lakin (54.40) placed second and sophomore Trevor Boodt (54.62) finished third to complete the 1-2-3 finish.
Sophomore Kendra Venter earned an individual victory for the women, touching first in a close 50-yard freestyle with a 23.04. She then led off the women's 200 freestyle relay, joining freshmen Sophie Gaylord and Emma Albrecht and fellow sophomore Avery Beal for a winning time of 1:32.11, the fifth-fastest time for the program.
Ezzat added an individual victory to his accomplishments in West Lafayette, posting a top time in the 100 backstroke. The Finnish swimmer, who set his country's national record in the 100 LCM backstroke at the Central Zone East Spring Speedo Sectionals in March, finished in 47.08.
Sophomore Ike Martinez touched first in the 200 fly with a time of 1:47.98. After tying the 17-year school record and setting a new Horizon League record in the event at the 2026 Horizon League Championships, Martinez returned to the top of the podium as one of Oakland's leading butterfly specialists.
FINAL RESULTS
Women
Purdue 237, Oakland 110
Men
Purdue 229, Oakland 124
UP NEXT
Oakland swimming and diving returns to the Oakland Aquatic Center on Friday, Nov. 6, to host No. 5/11 Michigan at 3 p.m. ET.
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