Get ready to dive into a thrilling showdown that left fans on the edge of their seats! Indiana University’s freshman sensation, Liberty Clark, shattered records with a jaw-dropping 20.79 split in the 50-yard freestyle, as the Hoosiers swept Purdue in a high-stakes Big Ten dual meet. But here’s where it gets controversial: Is Clark’s meteoric rise a sign of Indiana’s dominance, or does it expose Purdue’s weaknesses? Let’s dive into the details and let you decide.
On Saturday, January 24th, 2026, the Counsilman Billingsley Aquatic Center in Bloomington, IN, became the battleground for this in-state rivalry. With the meet conducted in short course yards (SCY), the Hoosiers left no doubt about their supremacy, outpacing the Boilermakers in both men’s and women’s competitions. The final scores? Men: Indiana 209.5, Purdue 90.5; Women: Indiana 186, Purdue 114. But the story doesn’t end there—it’s just getting started.
Indiana set the tone early, with their women’s 200 medley relay teams claiming the top two spots. The ‘A’ team, featuring Mya DeWitt (24.02), Jonette Lagreid (27.86), Grace Hoeper (23.41), and Liberty Clark (20.79), clocked an impressive 1:36.08. Clark’s split wasn’t just a personal best—it was Indiana’s fastest 50 free split ever. And this is the part most people miss: Clark, a freshman, has already surpassed the achievements of seniors like Kristina Paegle, who previously held the fastest splits at 20.91 and 20.96. Is Clark the future of IU swimming, or is she already its present?
The Hoosiers’ ‘B’ team wasn’t far behind, with Miranda Grana (24.05), Alessandra Gusperti (28.10), Amelia Bray (23.63), and Sze Yeo (21.98) securing second place in 1:37.76. The IU men followed suit, going 1-2 in their 200 medley relay. The ‘A’ team of Miroslav Knedla (21.14), Alexei Avakov (23.36), Mikkel Lee (20.39), and Vidar Carlbaum (18.78) touched first in 1:23.67, while the ‘B’ squad of Raekwon Noel (21.60), Travis Gulledge (23.39), Max Lestina (20.19), and Dylan Smiley (19.12) finished in 1:24.30.
Clark’s dominance didn’t stop at relays. She went on to win three individual events, each with career-best times. In the 100 backstroke, she clocked a 52.40, obliterating her previous best of 57.44 from 2025. She then claimed the 100 butterfly in 51.26, finishing over two seconds ahead of the competition. To cap off her day, Clark won the 200 IM in 1:55.86, becoming the only woman under 2:00 and slicing over 7 seconds off her previous best. Is Clark’s versatility a game-changer for IU, or is she simply in a league of her own?
Indiana’s Alexei Avakov mirrored Clark’s success, sweeping the men’s breaststroke events. He won the 100 breast in 52.53 and the 200 breast in 1:57.04, though Purdue’s Giorgio Mango gave him a run for his money in the 200, finishing just behind in 1:57.21. On the women’s side, Jonette Lagreid matched Avakov’s feat, winning the 100 breast in 1:01.92 and the 200 breast in 2:13.05.
Kristina Paegle continued Indiana’s winning streak, sweeping the women’s sprint freestyle events. She narrowly edged out teammate Sze Yeo in the 50 free (22.24 vs. 22.35) and took the 100 free in 48.35. Noah Cakir was another standout for the Hoosiers, dominating the men’s distance events. He won the 1000 free in 8:54.58, shaving nearly 40 seconds off his previous best, and the 500 free in 4:19.73, another massive personal best. Could Cakir be Indiana’s next distance star?
Kai Van Westering swept the men’s backstroke events, winning the 100 back in 46.50 and the 200 back in 1:43.03. Indiana also closed the meet by sweeping the 200 free relays, with the women’s ‘A’ team winning in 1:28.00 and the men’s ‘A’ and ‘B’ teams nearly tying at 1:17.43 and 1:17.87, respectively.
Purdue wasn’t without its highlights, though. The Boilermakers swept the women’s distance freestyle events, with Reagan Mattice winning the 1000 free in 9:48.00 (a career best) and Caitlin Hurley taking the 500 free in 4:50.01. Alex Hotta shone in the men’s 100 fly, winning in 45.81, while Abby Marcukaitis dominated the women’s 200 back in 1:55.14. Purdue also swept the 200 fly, with Campbell Scofield and Biko Hooper-Haviland claiming victories.
Other notable winners included Miranda Grana in the women’s 200 free (1:45.97), Zalan Sarkany in the men’s 200 free (1:35.20), and Mikkel Lee in the men’s 50 free (19.38). Divers Ella Roselli (IU) and Holden Higbie (Purdue) also stood out in the 1-meter events, while Daryn Wright and Tyler Wills of Purdue dominated the platform diving.
So, what’s the takeaway? Indiana’s sweep was undeniable, but Purdue’s bright spots raise questions. Is Indiana’s success a testament to their depth, or is Purdue’s performance a sign of untapped potential? Let us know your thoughts in the comments—this debate is far from over!
