Oct. 3, 2014
NOTRE DAME, Ind. — The University of Notre Dame women’s swimming and diving team opened its 2014-15 campaign in style Friday night at Rolfs Aquatic Center, as the Irish rolled to a 182-118 victory over Michigan State. The Irish collected 11 victories on the day while also registering 11 runner-up finishes against the Spartans from the Big Ten.
Led by interim head coach Tim Welsh, seven different Notre Dame (1-0) women won an individual event on the evening including Elizabeth House, Catherin Mulquin, Emma Reaney, Bridget Casey, Catherine Galletti, Katie Miller and Lindsey Streepey. The Irish used one-two finishes in the 200 medley relay, 200 free, 100 back, 200 fly, 50 free, 100 free, 200 back and 3-meter springboard to distance themselves from the Spartans (0-1).
“I thought it was a very solid performance from start to finish,” said Welsh, who is in his second term with the Irish women after coaching them from 1985-95. “I thought our balance looked good and our fitness was ok. Overall it was a good start for the team.”
Welsh used the meet against the Spartans as a barometer for where his Irish team is early in the season.
“We looked at today as a definition of where we are right now,” explained Welsh. “Most of the people swam what they want to focus on for the year. It was a chance to get a good look. We wanted to draw a line under this at the end of the day and say that is where we are.”
Mulquin, who represented the Irish at last year’s NCAA Championships, started her season off on a high note, registering two individual victories (100 back, 100 free), one relay victory (200 medley relay) and an additional individual runner-up performance (50 free) against Michigan State.
“As a team we swam well today. The start (of the season) has been pretty brutal, so it was good to be able to see some of the times we saw tonight knowing we aren’t rested and are pretty broken down,” said Mulquin. “It really shows potential for the rest of the season.”
Galletti returned to the pool after coming back from a season-ending hip injury last season and collected one individual victory (50 free), one individual runner-up performance (100 free) and was also part of the victorious 200 medley relay.
“It just felt good to be back and to race with the team again,” said Galletti. “The most painful thing about being out was missing that experience of the team. I think I swam well considering I’m still on the path to coming back. It’s going to take a lot of hard work. When it comes down to it, our team has a bunch of hard-working girls who have a lot of heart.”
Senior American record-holder Emma Reaney collected two individual victories (100 and 200 breast) against Michigan State and would have registered her third win (200 IM) had she not been swam as an exhibition swimmer in the event.
On the boards, junior diver Lindsey Streepey swept both events, claiming victory off both the 1- and 3-meter springboards.
The Irish return to Rolfs next weekend for the 50th annual Dennis Stark Relay next Friday, Oct. 10th. The meet is scheduled to begin at 5 pm.
Notre Dame Victories (11)
200 Medley Relay (1:43.35) – Catherine Mulquin, Emma Reaney, Courtney Whyte, Catherine Galletti
200 Free (1:55.67) – Elizabeth House
100 Back (56.67) – Catherine Mulquin
100 Breast (1:02.57) – Emma Reaney
200 Fly (2:04.14) – Bridget Casey
50 Free (24.06) – Catherine Galletti
1-meter Diving (294.37) – Lindsey Streepey
100 Free (52.61) – Catherine Mulquin
200 Back (2:05.12) – Katie Miller
200 Breast (2:19.08) – Emma Reaney
3-meter Diving (321.08) – Lindsey Streepey
Notre Dame Runner-ups (11)
200 Medley Relay (1:50.06) – Anna Grainger, Danielle Margheret, Melissa Scott, Suzanne Bessire
200 Free (1:55.92) – Katie Miller
100 Back (59.99) – Sydney Golic
200 Fly (2:04.61) – Courtney Whyte
50 Free (24.14) – Catherine Mulquin
100 Free (53.56) – Catherine Galletti
200 Back (2:09.57) – Sydney Golic
200 Breast (2:24.03) – Sherri McIntee
100 Fly (56.93) – Courtney Whyte
3-meter Diving (321.00) – Emma Gaboury
200 IM (2:11.41) – Genevieve Bradford
–ND–