Sept. 13, 2011
2011-12 Men’s Swimming and Diving Schedule
NOTRE DAME, Ind. – Notre Dame head coach Tim Welsh recently announced the release of the men’s swimming and diving 2011-12 schedule following an extremely beneficial and successful summer for the program.
“This past summer was very strong for us both here at Notre Dame and for those who were training at home,” Welsh said. “A number of student-athletes made 2012 Olympic Trials cuts, which is promising after we were not able to send anyone to the 2008 Olympic Trials.
“We’re very encouraged coming off a strong summer and hope it springboards us into the upcoming season.”
The season’s rather traditional schedule begins Oct. 14 with the 47th edition of the Dennis Stark Relays at the on-campus Rolfs Aquatic Center.
One day later, Notre Dame will take part in a combined home dual meet with Michigan, Oakland and Texas Christian.
“Our program is very excited to be the first BIG EAST Conference school to host Texas Christian as it enters the league,” Welsh said.
Notre Dame will not return to its home pool for competition until its faces Northwestern on Jan. 14, the first of three straight home events to end the regular season as the Irish also meet Michigan State (Jan. 21) while playing host to the Shamrock Invitational (Jan. 27-28).
Sandwiched between the opening and closing home portion of the schedule are road bouts at Pittsburgh (Oct. 28), Purdue (Nov. 4), Valparaiso (Nov. 5) and Louisville (Nov. 12).
The first half of the schedule comes to an end when Irish student-athletes will compete at the USA Winter Nationals (Dec. 1-3), Iowa Invitational (Dec. 2-4) and Ohio State Invitational (Dec. 2-4).
One month later, Notre Dame will start the New Year with its annual training trip in San Juan, Puerto Rico, while competing at the Copa Coqui (Jan. 6).
This year’s BIG EAST Championships will be held at Pittsburgh’s Trees Pool. The diving portion spans from Feb. 10-12 and the swimming events take place from Feb. 15-18.
The NCAA Zone Diving Championships are slated for March 9-11 in Bloomington, Ind., with the NCAA Swimming and Diving Championships taking place March 22-24 in Federal Way, Wash.
After Notre Dame placed second at the 2011 BIG EAST Championships, it shipped off then-freshman Frank Dyer to the NCAA Championships. Dyer became the second Irish swimmer ever to earn an invitation to the NCAA Championships.
Dyer recorded the highest finish ever for the program at the NCAAs after placing 26th in the 200 free (1:36.15).
Should Dyer earn a second trip to the NCAAs, he could be joined by a number of student-athletes who shined during the 2011 summer circuit. Here’s a breakdown of some of the top performances during the off-season:
Colin Babcock – Olympic Trials qualifier (100 breast – 1:04.64) at Indy Grand Prix in March; Olympic Trials qualifier (100 breast – 1:03.83, 200 breast – 2:20.44) at U.S. Nationals in August.
Bill Bass – Olympic Trials qualifier (200 IM – 2:05.44) at Indy Grand Prix in March.
Jordan Berry – Competed in relays at U.S. Nationals; top times: 100 fly (55.89), 200 fly (2:04.63), 200 IM (2:08.14).
Frank Dyer – Olympic Trials qualifier (50 free – 23.35, 100 free – 50.61, 200 free – 1:52.33, 400 free – 3:58.32) at U.S. Nationals in August.
Christopher Johnson – Olympic Trials qualifier (100 breast – 1:04.54) at U.S. Nationals in August.
John McGinley – Competed in the 100 free (51.78) at Indy Grand Prix in March; competed in the 100 free (52.36) at U.S. Nationals in August.
Brennan Jacobsen – Competed in the 200 free, 400 free, 1,500 free, and 200 fly at U.S. Nationals in August; previously qualified for Olympic Trials in 400 free and 1500 free.
James McEldrew – Competed in the 200 back, 400 IM, and 1,500 free at U.S. Nationals; qualified for Olympic Trials in the 200 back in July and the 1,500 free in August.
Cameron Miller – Named to the U.S. Junior National Team; competed in 100 breast, 200 breast, and 200 IM at U.S. Nationals; previously qualified for Olympic Trials in 100 and 200 breast.
Patrick Olson – Competed in 100 breast, 200 breast, 200 IM, 400 IM, and 200 free at U.S. Nationals in August; qualified for Olympic Trials in the 100 breast.
Zachary Stephens – Competed in the 100 breast, 200 breast, and 200 IM at U.S. Nationals in August; qualified for Olympic Trials in the 200 breast.
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