July 5, 2012
NOTRE DAME, Ind. – Members of the Notre Dame men’s swimming and diving program returned home after an exceptional showing last week during the 2012 United States Olympic Swimming Trials at the CenturyLink Center in Omaha, Neb.
“The Trials were absolutely spectacular,” Irish head coach Tim Welsh said. “With over 15,000 fans in the stands each evening, it was a marvelous event for the sport and it was a thrill for us to be there. Our men showed great improvements that did not go unnoticed by other coaches. We learned that we’re perfectly fine competing at a very high level against the best in the world.”
Frank Dyer led the 12-person group with a 13th-place finish in the 400m free, clocking in at 3:52.74 to rank among the world’s 100 fastest performers in that event on the year.
“USA Swimming put on a great show and there was an electric atmosphere throughout Omaha during the entire week,” Notre Dame associate head coach Matt Tallman said. “Our team was very well represented and we received a number of compliments from coaches and athletes not only on our performances at the event, but on our entire season.
“Frank’s finish in the 400m free was a huge step in the right direction for the program and a sign of many more great things to come.”
While a number of Irish performers posted landmark times, both Zachary Stephens and Cameron Miller achieved personal bests in each of their respective events.
“Zachary and Cameron both had absolutely fantastic meets,” Tallman added. “As a whole, nearly 25% of the performances across the board at the meet were personal-best times. Over 40% of the swims by our student-athletes were personal bests. In that regard, it was a successful meet.
“After competing on the biggest stage in all of swimming, which was the fastest long-course meters meet in the world, we’re now looking forward to seeing how that will positively impact our upcoming season.”
All said and done, Notre Dame shelved 17 top-100 and eight top-50 finishes at the national event.
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Notre Dame Student-Athletes at the 2012 U.S. Olympic Trials- Complete Results -
Frank Dyer50m free - 65th - 23.28100m free - 45th - 50.67200m free - 29th - 1:50.53400m free - 13th - 3:52.74
Zachary Stephens100m breast - 67th - 1:04.14200m breast - 36th - 2:16.83200m IM - 30th - 2:04.25
Bill Bass200m IM - 61st - 2:05.75
Colin Babcock100m breast - 58th - 1:03.86200m breast - 110th - 2:22.91200m IM - 44th - 2:05.08
Patrick Olson100 breast - 102nd - 1:05.06200m IM - 87th - 2:07.01
Brennan Jacobsen400m free - 109th - 4:07.751,500m free - 78th - 16:10.61
James McEldrew1,500m free - 82nd - 16:16.16200m back - 75th - 2:05.68
Cameron Miller100m breast - 33rd - 1:02.86200m breast - 39th - 2:17.05
Mason Weber100m breast - 117th - 1:05.40
Christopher Johnson100 breast - 118th - 1:05.47
John Williamson200m fly - 102nd - 2:04.80
Wesley Mullins200m fly - 106th - 2:05.07
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