GREENSBORO, N.C. — No. 18 Notre Dame swam to a sixth-place finish at the ACC Championships. The final day of competition Saturday was highlighted by Notre Dame’s one-two finish in the 1650 Free, as Zach Yeadon claimed his second ACC Championship for the week, setting both a meet record and program record with a 14:27.93. Jack Hoagland reached his third podium of the week, claiming silver in the event (14:35.19).
“It was an incredible night for our team,” Irish head coach Mike Litzinger noted. “I’m extremely proud of our men for battling all the way back from 10th.”
PRELIMS
The Irish started off strong in the 200 Back, qualifying five swimmers for finals and noting multiple Top 10 program performers. Jack Montesi led the group, placing eighth in prelims with a 1:42.56. Will Cumberland followed with a 1:42.99, vaulting to fourth in program history. Jack Fitzpatrick made his mark with a 1:44.11, good for fifth in Irish records (until moving to sixth after finals times that evening).
Sadler McKeen joined in on the fun, touching the wall in 1:44.62 and becoming the seventh-fastest Notre Dame performer. Nick Milikich rounded it out for the Irish, placing eighth in Irish history with a 1:44.75.
Josh Bottelberghe punched his ticket to A finals with a 1:55.12 (sixth) in the 200 Breast, as Rex Riley also made it to finals with a 1:58.46 (17th). Notre Dame struck again in the 200 Fly, qualifying four swimmers for finals. Max Miranda (1:44.63 – 10th), Aaron Schultz (1:45.08 – 16th), Zach Smith (1:46.00 – 23rd) and Marci Barta (1:46.23 – 24th) claimed their slots in the evening.
FINALS
Yeadon touched the wall for the best time in program and meet history in the 1650 Free, turning in a 14:27.93 to win the ACC Championship, his second title of the week. Freshman Hoagland took second, turning in a 14:35.19 (A Cut) to improve his time as second-fastest event performer in Irish records. With his silver finish, Hoagland reached the podium for all three of his individual events.
“Zach Yeadon and Jack Hoagland led the way for our team, with multiple medals for both of them,” Litzinger shared.
Also in finals for the 1650 Free, Will Barao turned in a 15:12.31 (11th), improving the time on his fifth-fastest performer status.
Montesi jumped two slots in finals, taking sixth overall in the 200 Back (1:42.05) as part of the A final. Cumberland posted a 1:43.57 to place 13th, and Fitzpatrick placed 15th, touching the wall in 1:44.89. McKeen finished in 1:43.28, good for 18th and a new fifth-fastest performer title for the program. Milikich posted a 1:44.44, becoming the seventh-fastest performer in Notre Dame records.
Bottelberghe rose one slot in the 200 Breast, posting a 1:54.07 to take fifth, and Riley took 19th with a 1:58.18 to become the ninth-fastest 200 Breast swimmer in program history.
Finishing up individual events with the 200 Fly, Miranda ended in 11th (1:44.37) with Schultz right behind him (12th – 1:44.67). Barta posted a 1:46.25 to take 22nd, while Smith touched the wall in 1:47.59 for 24th.
In the final event of the ACC Championships, the 400 Free Relay, the Irish team of Schultz, Yeadon, Cason Wilburn and McKeen placed ninth with a 2:54.39.
UP NEXT
The Irish will return home and await selection announcements for the NCAA meet in March. Coverage of those announcements can be followed on Twitter @NDSwimDive and online at und.com/sports/swim.
WOMEN’S MEET
Luciana Thomas and Bayley Stewart made waves In the Purdue Boiler-Make-It Qualification Championship Saturday. In the 200 Back, Stewart posted a 1:54.07, while in the 200 Fly, Thomas touched the wall in 1:54.70 to rank as the second-fastest performer in Irish records in that event.
STANDINGS | COMPLETE RESULTS
- NC State – 1250
- Virginia – 1089
- Louisville – 1066.5
- Virginia Tech – 898
- Florida State – 812.5
- NOTRE DAME – 803.5
- North Carolina – 630.5
- Pittsburgh – 520
- Georgia Tech – 506
- Duke – 421
- Miami – 197
- Boston College – 134