Jan. 30, 2015
NOTRE DAME, Ind. – The 2015 Shamrock Invitational got off to a fast start Friday night, as senior All-American Emma Reaney lowered her own 200 IM Rolfs Aquatic Center record before teaming with Catherine Galletti, Courtney Whyte and Catherine Mulquin to break the pool’s 400 medley relay record.
In the 200 IM, the Lawrence, Kansas native led from beginning to end by going 25.70 in the butterfly, 29.67 in the backstroke, 33.40 in the breaststroke and 28.17 in the freestyle. All four splits were the best of any competitor in the field. She touched the wall in an NCAA B cut time of 1:56.94, which was over five seconds faster than her nearest competitor, and lowered her own pool record (1:58.42) set last year at the same meet by over 1.48 seconds. The time was also over four seconds faster than her previous best time this year (2:01.43).
Wrapping up night one’s action was an impressive performance by the foursome of Galletti, Reaney, Whyte and Mulquin, who blazed to a pool record in the 400 medley relay (3:39.21). Galletti got the squad started with a 54.37 in the 100 back, before Reaney went 1:00.99 in the 100 breast, Whyte went 53.57 in the 100 fly and Mulquin went 50.28 in the 100 free. The time was 6.63 seconds faster than the next closest team and over four seconds faster than the previous best Irish 400 medley relay time this season.
The time broke the old record (3:42.75) set January 11, 2008 by Indiana’s foursome of Zubkova (an Olympian), Stockwell, Smailis and Bard.
Notre Dame claimed three of the top four spots in the 50 free. Mulquin and Galletti took the top two spots with times of 23.10 and 23.14, respectively, while senior Hannah Bowen took fourth in 23.56.
On the 3-meter board, the Irish boasted three of the top four spots, as Allison Casareto claimed first (359.75), Emma Gaboury took second (331.70) and Lindsey Streepey placed fourth (322.10). Casareto’s score was just under two points off her career-best mark (361.20 – 2013).
Notre Dame got off to a good start Friday night with a victory in the 200 free relay, as the foursome of Bowen, Suzanne Bessire, Galletti and Mulquin touched the pad in 1:32.49. The time was a season best for an Irish 200 free relay team.
Swimming against 2012 NCAA honorable mention All-American Becky Stoughton, freshman Molly Treble and senior Bridget Casey both turned in strong showings in the 500 free. After Stoughton touched the pad in 4:50.79, Treble claimed second in 4:54.68 and Casey placed third in 4:55.12.
Elsewhere on day one, sophomore Katie Miller took third in the 200 IM in 2:03.09 while junior Genevieve Bradford placed fourth in 2:05.00.
After day one, Notre Dame leads Incarnate Word, 91-17, and Iowa, 81-29.
Day two of the 2015 Shamrock Invitational gets underway at 10 a.m. ET with the 200 medley relay. Saturday’s second session begins at 5 p.m. ET with the 1,650 free.
A special senior day ceremony for eight Irish student-athletes is slated for 4:30 p.m. ET. Bessire, Bowen, Allison Casareto, Bridget Casey, Erin Foley, Reaney, Melissa Scott and Courtney Whyte will be honored along with 14 senior men’s student-athletes.
DAY ONE SCORES
Notre Dame 91, Incarnate Word 17
Notre Dame 81, Iowa 29
ROLFS AQUATIC CENTER RECORDS
200 IM (1:56.94): Emma Reaney
400 Medley Relay (3:39.21): Catherine Galletti / Emma Reaney / Courtney Whyte / Catherine Mulquin
NCAA B CUTS
200 IM (1:56.94): Emma Reaney
IRISH VICTORIES
200 Free Relay (1:32.49): Hannah Bowen / Suzanne Bessire / Catherine Galletti / Catherine Mulquin
200 IM (1:56.94): Emma Reaney
50 Free (23.10): Catherine Mulquin
400 Medley Relay (3:39.21): Catherine Galletti / Emma Reaney / Courtney Whyte / Catherine Mulquin
3-Meter Dive (359.75): Allison Casareto
IRISH RUNNER-UP FINISHES
500 Free (4:54.68): Molly Treble
50 Free (23.14): Catherine Galletti
400 Medley Relay (3:45.84): Katie Miller / Danielle Margheret / Bridget Casey / Elizabeth House
3-Meter Dive (331.70): Emma Gaboury
–Russell Dorn, Assistant Media Relations Director
–ND–