Nov. 7, 2014
NOTRE DAME, Ind. – The University of Notre Dame women’s swimming and diving team won five of the 10 events Friday night against fellow Atlantic Coast Conference members Virginia Tech and Pittsburgh, putting the Irish in prime position heading into Saturday’s final day of the double dual meet at Rolfs Aquatic Center.
The Irish trail the Hokies by 20 points, 102-82, and lead the Panthers, 110-74, with 10 events remaining.
“We raced well tonight just like we did last week,” said interim head coach Tim Welsh. “But it’s even more true this week, we were faster today than we were last Saturday. Step-by-step that’s progress in the right direction. If you compare times to last week, which was our best meet to date, we were not only faster tonight we were significantly faster. I think the team did a nice job and raced really well. The challenge is to come back and do it again tomorrow morning. Similar to championships, we are looking at a night to morning turnaround.”
Highlighting Friday’s action was a sweep of the competition on the 1-meter board, as senior Allison Casareto (298.75) and juniors Lindsey Streepey (284.80) and Emma Gaboury (283.65) claimed the top three spots with NCAA Zone C qualifying marks.
“The thing about it is that it’s very believable (the divers’ performance),” said Welsh. “They train that well and dive that well every week. God bless them, they do a great job.”
In the water, senior Emma Reaney won a pair of individual events in NCAA B cut times by claiming victory in the 100 fly (54.38) and 100 breast (1:01.04).
Sophomore Catherine Mulquin posted the other individual victory for Notre Dame on day one, as she touched the pad first in the 100 free (50.82).
In the relays, Notre Dame won the 200 medley in 1:42.59 with Mulquin, Reaney, senior Courtney Whyte and junior Catherine Galletti jumping off the block for the Irish.
Fellow sophomore Katie Miller finished in second in the 400 IM (4:24.52) and the 200 back (2:02.13), while the 200 free relay team of Mulquin, Galletti, Hannah Bowen and Genevieve Bradford opened Friday’s meet with a runner-up finish in the 200 free relay (1:34.72) by just .01 seconds.
Day two gets underway at 10 a.m. Saturday with the 400 medley relay. Fans can follow along through WatchND’s free online video stream, live stats or on the Meet Mobile app through their smartphones. Links for all three are on UND.com and at the top of this recap.
DAY 1 SCORES
Virginia Tech 102, Notre Dame 82
Notre Dame 110, Pittsburgh 74
IRISH VICTORIES
1-Meter Dive (298.75): Allison Casareto
100 Fly (54.38): Emma Reaney (NCAA B Cut)
100 Breast (1:01.04): Emma Reaney (NCAA B Cut)
100 Free (50.82): Catherine Mulquin
200 Medley Relay (1:42.59): Catherine Mulquin / Emma Reaney / Courtney Whyte / Catherine Galletti
IRISH RUNNER-UP FINISHES
200 Free Relay (1:34.72): Catherine Mulquin / Catherine Galletti / Hannah Bowen / Genevieve Bradford
400 IM (4:24.52): Katie Miller
1-Meter Dive (284.80): Lindsey Streepey
200 Back (2:02.13): Katie Miller
–Russell Dorn, Assistant Media Relations Director
–ND–