Jan. 10, 2015
ANN ARBOR, Mich. – The University of Notre Dame men’s swimming and diving team suffered a tough road loss against top-ranked Michigan and Northwestern Saturday. The Irish lost to the Wolverines 177 to 117, while the Wildcats beat them 173 to 127.
“We were definitely tired heading into today’s meet,” Irish head coach Matt Tallman says. “The guys did a great job training in San Juan (Puerto Rico), and that will pay huge dividends for us at the end of the season.
“Unfortunately, it was not conducive to racing well today.”
One bright spot for the Irish was their diving squad, which claimed first and second in the men’s three-meter event and took first in the one-meter event. Ann Arbor native Nick Nemetz dove to first place in the one-meter (314.35) and took second in the three-meter (316.60) behind sophomore teammate Joseph Coumos (353.55).
“It was very encouraging to have old friends supporting me in Ann Arbor,” the senior squad member admits. “I had people come to the meet today that haven’t seen me dive since high school, and I felt very comfortable performing in front of them.”
Breaststroker Zachary Stephens also had strong swims for the Irish, taking second in the 200 breast (2:02.02) and third in the 200 IM (1:52.90). He also finished seventh in the 50 free (20.95).
Fellow seniors Cameron Miller and John Nappi put in strong performances for the Irish as well, as Miller came in third in the 100 breast (56.17) and fifth in the 200 breast (2:04.78). Nappi placed fifth in the 1650 free (15:50.45) and came in seventh in the 500 free (4:38.77).
One of Notre Dame’s strongest performers came in the form of junior Bogac Ayhan who clinched third in the 100 back (49.91) before placing eighth in the 100 fly (50.50). Sophomore Kevin Bradley also posted his own third-place finish, touching in just behind two Wolverine swimmers in the 200 fly (1:52.53).
Michigan native Joseph Krause claimed sixth in the 100 free, posting the top time for he Irish in the event with his 46.81 mark. Fellow freestylers Michael Hudspith and Justin Plaschka tied for ninth place (47.39).
In relay events, the A team lineup of Krause, Plaschka, Nappi and Bradley tied for third in the 400 free relay (3:06.45) while Ayhan, Miller, Stephens and Plaschka took fifth in the 200 medley relay (1:30.56).
The Irish are next in action Friday and Saturday, Jan. 16-17 at Wisconsin, facing off against the Badgers and in-state rival Indiana.
Lizzie Mikes,
Media Services Coordinator