Feb. 4, 2012
MUNCIE, Ind. – In its final tune-up for the BIG EAST Diving Championships next weekend and the BIG EAST Swimming Championships in two weeks, the Notre Dame women’s swimming and diving team won nine events to help the Irish knock off Ball State, 143-100, at Lewellen Aquatic Center in Muncie, Ind., on Saturday.
A balanced attack followed the Irish to Muncie, as senior Amy Prestinario (50 and 100 free) and junior Jaime Malandra (500 and 1,000) won multiple individual events. Also picking up wins on the day were Bridget Casey (200 free), Emma Reaney (200 IM), Jenny Chiang (1-meter dive), Kelly Ryan (100 back) and the 200 free relay squad composed of Ryan, Prestinario, Courtney Whyte and Kim Holden.
The Irish (6-6) now turn their attention to the BIG EAST Championships, with the divers heading to Pittsburgh, Pa., from Feb. 10-12, and the swimmers following them from Feb. 15-18.
EVENT-BY-EVENT RESULTS
200 Medley Relay: Ball State touched the pad first in the 200 medley relay (1:46.27), before the Irish claimed second and third. Notre Dame’s “A” team of Sarah Dotzel, Emma Reaney, Lauren Scott and Suzanne Bessire finished second in 1:47.05, while the “B” team of Courtney Whyte, Lauren Stauder, Kim Holden and Mikelle Masciantonio took third in 1:48.33.
1,000 Free: Junior Jaime Malandra won her second race of the day as she pulled away from the field to win in 10:32.73. Freshman Erin Foley took second in 10:39.11.
200 Free: Freshman Bridget Casey continued her winning ways, taking the 200 free in 1:54.87. Junior Gracie Fredlake finished third in 1:56.45.
50 Free: Senior Amy Prestinario won the 50 free in 24.46, while fellow co-captain Lauren Scott took third in 24.66.
200 IM: Freshman Emma Reaney won the 200 IM for the fifth time on the year on Saturday, as she dominated the field, winning by over four seconds in 2:04.67.
1-Meter Dive: Junior Jenny Chiang won the 1-meter dive in comfortable fashion, scoring 299.77 points to outdistance teammate Jordan Russell (261.97) by almost 38 points.
100 Fly: Ball State picked up its second win on the day in the 100 fly as Haley Richter touched the pad in 55.88. Junior Kim Holden was the first Irish swimmer to finish (56.03), with Melissa Scott (58.22) following right behind.
100 Free: Prestinario picked up her second win of the day, taking the 100 free title in 52.33.
100 Back: Sophomore Kelly Ryan continued her strong performance in the 100 back, winning in 57.56. Reaney was hot on her heels, finishing second in 58.48.
500 Free: Malandra won the 500 free after placing second in the 1,000 free. The Allentown, Pa., product touched the wall in 5:07.90. Teammates Fredlake (5:10.14) and Foley (5:10.78) followed closely behind in second and third, respectively.
3-Meter Dive: After winning the 1-meter dive earlier in the meet, Chiang finished as the runner-up in the 3-meter dive (295.12) by just 1.55 points.
100 Breast: Sophomore Christen McDonough (1:05.66) just missed out on first in the 100 breast, falling to Bridgette Ruehl (1:05.26) by just .40 seconds.
200 Free Relay: The Irish closed out the meet in style, winning the 200 free relay by just over a second. The Notre Dame team of Ryan, Prestinario, Whyte and Holden touched the pad in 1:37.08.
–ND–