Jan. 14, 2012
ANN ARBOR, Mich. – The Notre Dame women’s swimming and diving team won five events, including three from star freshman Emma Reaney, and turned in 12 top-three finishes in a double-dual meet at Michigan on Saturday, less than two days after returning from its two-week training trip in Hawaii. The Irish fell to the host Wolverines 180-115 and to the visiting Northwestern Wildcats, 156-144.
As has been the case for much of the year, Reaney won multiple events during a meet, as the Lawrence, Kan., native claimed titles in the 100 and 200 breaststroke and the 400 IM and anchored the 4×400 free relay team to a first place finish. She won by a second in the 100 breast and by over four in the 400 IM. Reaney improves to 9-0 in IM races, while picking up her fourth and fifth wins, respectively, in the two breaststroke events combined.
On the boards Chiang has displayed consistency throughout the year, winning the 1-meter and finishing second in the 3-meter. The 1-meter title was her fifth of the season.
The Irish closed out the meet with a victory in the 4×400 free relay. The team of Kelly Ryan, Amy Prestinario, Suzanne Bessire and Reaney won by over a second in 3:24.45.
Notre Dame (3-5) finally makes its return to Rolfs Aquatic Center next Saturday when the Irish host Michigan State at 1 p.m.
Event-By-Event Results
200 Medley Relay
The Irish opened up the meet with a fourth place showing in the 200 medley relay. The team of Sarah Dotzel, Lauren Stauder, Lauren Scott and Hannah Bowen touched the pad in 1:45.21, under a second out of third place. Notre Dame’s second team of Gracie Fredlake, Christen McDonough, Courtney Whyte and Mikelle Masciantonio took seventh in 1:48.72.
1,000 Free
The two Big Ten schools dominated the 1,000 free, with Michigan taking the top three spots and Northwestern following in the four and five holes. Leading the way for the Irish was freshman Bridget Casey, who took sixth in 10:20.45.
200 Free
Bessire (1:52.08), Ryan (1:52.09) and Prestinario (1:52.68) went four, five and six in the 200 free, all finishing within .60 of each other. The Wildcats claimed two of the top three spots.
100 Back
Dotzel took second in the 100 back in 57.02. The time was .95 behind Michigan’s Claudia Lau.
100 Breast
Reaney won the first of three individual events on the day, claiming the 100 breast in 1:01.10. She led from beginning to end, extending her lead on the final leg.
200 Fly
In her specialty event, Casey took second in the 200 fly in 2:01.26. Freshman Melissa Scott followed behind Casey in fifth (2:03.89).
50 Free
Ryan was the top finisher for the Irish in the 50 free, placing fourth in 23.72. Bowen took eighth in 24.25.
3-Meter Dive
Chiang continued her impressive showing on the boards, turning in a second place showing with a total score of 313.10.
1-Meter Dive
Chiang did one better in the 1-meter dive, taking the title by just two points, 313.05-311.05, over Michigan’s Amanda Lohman.
100 Free
Prestinario paced Notre Dame in the 100 free, taking second with a time of 51.64.
200 Back
A pair of Irish swimmers placed in the top three of the 200 back, as Ryan touched the pad in second (2:02.31), and Fredlake finished right behind in third in 2:02.56.
200 Breast
Reaney won her second event of the day in the 200 breast, pulling away from Northwestern’s Jennifer Wilson to win in 2:14.77.
500 Free
Casey closed out her day with a seventh place finish in the 500 free (5:02.93). The Wolverines placed four in the top five.
400 IM
Reaney won her third individual title on the day and improved to 9-0 in IM races this season by dominating the 400 on Saturday. The freshman bested Northwestern’s Hannah Points by more than four seconds, 4:19.13-4:23.80. Fredlake claimed third in 4:25.74 to cap off a two top-three finish day.
400 Free
The Irish closed out the meet with a strong performance in the 400 free. Winning from beginning to end in 3:24.45 was the team of Ryan, Prestinario, Bessire and Reaney.
–ND–