Jan. 16, 2004
Ann Arbor, Mich. – Senior Marie Labosky won the 200 individual medley and the rest of the Irish fared well in session one of the Michigan Invitational at Canham Natatorium in Ann Arbor, Mich. The meet continues on Saturday with two sessions as the morning races start at 9:00 a.m. and the afternoon races at 5:00 p.m.
Labosky, from Churchville, Pa., took first in the 200 IM in an NCAA “B” qualifying time of 2:18.25, which was over two seconds ahead of second-place Sara Johnson of Michigan, who finished in 2:20.59. Irish senior Lisa Garcia was fourth in the event at 2:22.80, while Notre Dame freshman Jessica Stephens was sixth in 2:24.01 and freshman Ann Barton was seventh in 2:25.24. Senior Lisa D’Olier was 14th in 2:30.98.
The Irish started the meet with a fourth-place finish in the 200 medley relay. The team of freshman Rebecca Grove, senior Danielle Hulick, junior Katie Eckholt and freshman Katie Carroll touched in 1:48.18. Illinois was first in 1:46.70 in the event, which was raced in short-course meters – the same configuration for the upcoming NCAA meet in March. The “B” relay of junior Georgia Healey, freshman Ellen Johnson, freshman Krissy Archer and junior Kristen Peterson was sixth in 1:51.11, while the “C” team of junior Sarah Alwen, freshman Meghan Linnelli, senior Laurie Musgrave and freshman Grace Galagan finished in 1:52.49.
In the 400 freestyle, Notre Dame’s best finish was a seventh-place tally by Johnson in 4:27.48. Michigan’s Susan Gilliam was first in a NCAA “B” time of 4:14.24. Other Irish finishers included freshman Abby Strang in 13th place (4:36.26).
Hulick had a strong performance in the 50 free as she placed second in 26.67. Illinois’ Barbie Viney was first in 26.51. The Irish also claimed places eight through 10 as Carroll was eighth in 27.18, Grove ninth in 27.54 and Eckholt 10th in 27.65. Archer placed 12th with a time of 27.71, Peterson was 14th (28.02), Musgrave 18th (28.33), Healey 19th in 28.39 and Linnelli was 22nd in 28.96.
In the 400 medley relay, the Notre Dame squad of Hulick, Stephens, Garcia and Carroll were fourth in 4:22.80. The Irish “B” team of Barton, Musgrave, sophomore Christel Bouvron and Johnson was fifth in 4:24.06, while the “C” squad of Grove, Healey, D’Olier and Eckholt was seventh in 4:28.34. Michigan was first in 4:13.43.
Senior diver Meghan Perry Eaton suffered her first loss of the season as she placed second in the one-meter diving event. Perry-Eaton scored 295.20 points and was just edged out by Michigan’s Tealin Keleman, who finished with 303.30 points. Notre Dame’s Samantha Raneri was 11th with 196.12 points, while Casey Pepak was 12th with 169.72 points. Before tonight’s meet, the 2003 BIG EAST Diver of the Year had won both the one- and three-meter events at all seven of her competitions this season.