March 7, 2013
NOTRE DAME, Ind. – Five University of Notre Dame women’s swimmers are heading to the 2013 NCAA Championships, it was announced Wednesday. The Irish divers look to join their swimming teammates at the NCAAs by qualifying at next weekend’s (March 14-16) NCAA Zone Diving meet.
Qualifying automatically for NCAAs are senior Kim Holden, junior Kelly Ryan and sophomores Emma Reaney and Bridget Casey. Joining the foursome will be freshman Catherine Galletti, who can swim any of the relays the Irish are eligible for.
Holden, who won three events on her way to earning seven all-BIG EAST scrolls at last week’s BIG EAST Championships, is eligible to swim the 100 fly and the 100 and 200 back after obtaining NCAA B cuts in all three events.
Ryan also won three events and earned six all-BIG EAST medals and is eligible to swim in the 100 and 200 back and the 100 free after obtaining NCAA B cuts in all three events.
Reaney was named the BIG EAST Women’s Most Outstanding Swimmer of the meet after winning six titles and earning all-conference accolades in seven events. She is eligible to swim in the 200 IM and the 100 and 200 breaststroke.
The Lawrence, Kan., native obtained NCAA A cuts and ranks in the top seven in all three events heading into the meet.
Casey finished second in the 200 fly at BIG EAST last week in an NCAA B cut time to lock up her spot at nationals. She is eligible to swim in just the 200 fly.
All four individual qualifiers (and Galletti) can also participate in any of the relays in which the Irish are eligible to compete in. These are the 400 medley and free, 200 medley and 800 free. Notre Dame earned at least a provisional standard in all four relays, while the 400 medley team of Ryan, Reaney, Holden and Galletti claimed an automatic standard in December when they went 3:34.86.
The Irish have now qualified two or more individuals for NCAAs in every season since 1997. Last year Reaney and Ryan put on a show in Auburn, Ala., as Reaney earned three honorable mention All-America certificates in the 200 IM and 100 and 200 back, while Ryan was named an All-American in the 200 back.
The NCAA Championships are scheduled for March 21-23 at the all too familiar IUPUI Natatorium.
Events Eligible For:
Emma Reaney: 200 IM, 100 Breast, 200 Breast, Any of the four relays
Kim Holden: 100 Fly, 100 Back, 200 Back, Any of the four relays
Kelly Ryan: 200 Back, 100 Back, 100 Free, Any of the four relays
Bridget Casey: 200 Fly, Any of the four relays
Catherine Galletti: Any of the four relays
Relays: 400 Medley, 400 Free, 200 Medley, 800 Free
–ND–