Jan. 11, 2006

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - No. 4 Michigan enters Friday's meet with No. 15 Purdue with great sadness after receiving news that former standout swimmer and assistant coach Eric Namesnik passed away Wednesday morning following a car accident last week.

"Both teams and staffs come into this meet with heavy hearts, but we're professionals and we have to carry on," said head coach Dan Ross. "Eric was one of, if not, the toughest competitor I've ever seen in any sport. It's going to be a spirited meet and I appreciate Michigan making the trip down here."

According to a release posted on Michigan's athletics web site (MGoBlue.com) Namesnik spent seven years as an assistant coach (1997-2004) with the men's program after swimming for the Wolverines under head coach Jon Urbanchek from 1989-93. Namesnik was in his second season as a volunteer assistant men's swimming coach at Eastern Michigan and was coaching with the Wolverine Aquatics Club.

A member of the 1992 and 1996 United States Olympic teams, Namesnik won the silver medal in the 400-meter individual medley at the Barcelona and Atlanta Olympics.

In addition to remembering their fellow sportsman during a moment of silence, Purdue's coaching staff also will salute its senior class (Adam King, Andre Pereira, Giordan Pogioli, Blake Scholz, Mark Wolfred, Josh Karshen and J.R. Hillis), which is competing in its final home dual meet.

The Wolverines are the third top-ten team Purdue has faced this year. The Boilermakers lost to No. 1 Auburn in a dual meet at Virginia and were second to No. 7 Florida at November's Boilermaker Invite.

"We certainly welcome the challenge Michigan brings to our pool," said Ross. "They are the highest-ranked Big Ten team coming out of NCAAs last season, and with guys like Peter Vanderkaay and Davis Tarwarter, I'm sure they can duplicate that success or finish higher."

Purdue (4-3) has had some success against ranked opponents, beating both No. 16 Northwestern, 171-129, and No. 19 Notre Dame, 182-118, during the season's first week. The team's most recent win came last weekend, coming from behind to beat Arizona State in Tempe, 182-165.

Newcomers Chris Etherington and Eddie Kenney played a significant role in Purdue's triumph over the Sun Devils, but Ross believes its too early to tell if they can have the same success against Michigan.

"These guys give us a shot of energy, but our event order doesn't necessarily favor them since they're better in short-yardage races," said Ross. "But they are making an immediate impact, especially in the relays, and I know we wouldn't have beaten ASU without them."

Friday's order of events includes the 200 fly, back and breast, several freestyle races and the 200 individual medley. The 400 medley and 400 free will bookend the 19th dual meet between the conference rivals, which begins at 5 p.m. Admission is free.