Oct. 31, 2013
NOTRE DAME, Ind. – After solid showings in opening weekend meetings with No. 10 Indiana and No. 13 Auburn among others, the University of Notre Dame women’s swimming and diving team turned in three weeks of training before its dual meet with in-state rival Purdue at 5 p.m. Friday.
After winning five events in dual meets against the Hoosiers and Tigers, the Irish look to take the next step against an old foe that has become a regular on the early season dual meet schedule.
“I want to see improvement after three weeks of training,” said head coach Brian Barnes. “We want to have a competitive weekend without sacrificing the big picture, which is the championship meets at the end of the season. That’s where we want to be dialed in.”
The dual meet with Purdue has been a constant on the Irish schedule since 2004, with many meets coming down to the final event or two. Last year the Boilermakers snuck out of Rolfs Aquatic Center with a 152-148 victory after they pulled off a victory in the final event of the day – the 400 free medley. The Irish got the last laugh, however, as they finished a program-best 16th at the NCAA Championships, while Purdue was three spots behind in 19th place.
“We expect another close meet this year,” said Barnes. “Both teams will be ready to compete. I have great respect for head coach John Klinge and his program. It will not only be important to win close events, but to also beat out the opponent for second, third and fourth place spots.”
In addition to junior Emma Reaney, who won the 100 breast and fly in the dual meets, freshman Katie Miller turned heads with the first individual victory of her career (200 IM – 2:03.14) and divers Allison Casareto (1-Meter) and Lindsey Streepey (3-Meter) swept the boards.
Reaney’s performance in the 100 breast (1:00.94) puts her first in the Atlantic Coast Conference and tied for fourth nationally, while Miller sits second in the ACC and 21st nationally in the 200 IM.
Assuming they both compete in the event Friday, Miller and Purdue’s Carly Mercer (2:03.50) should have quite the battle in the 200 IM as Mercer is just three spots below Miller in the national rankings at 24. Mercer also is 19th in the 50 free (23.12).
Fans can follow the meet through , with diving having a special dive-by-dive results page.
Meet Schedule
200 Medley Relay
1,000 Free
200 Free
100 Back
100 Breast
200 Fly
50 Free
1-Meter Dive
100 Free
200 Back
200 Breast
500 Free
100 Fly
3-Meter Dive
200 IM
400 Free Relay
— Russell Dorn, Assistant Media Relations Director
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