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Feb. 13, 2001
WHO:
The Notre Dame Men’s Swimming and Diving team
WHAT:
2001 BIG EAST Championship
WHERE: Long Island, NY
WHEN: Thursday, Feb. 15 – Saturday, Feb. 18
All day
Irish ready for the 2001 BIG EAST Championship:
The Notre Dame men’s swimming and diving team (7-2) heads to Long Island, NY, this weekend for its sixth BIG EAST championship meet since joining the league in 1996. The Irish, who finished seventh in their first two years in the conference, have established themselves as one of the best programs in the league over the last two years. Over that span, Notre Dame has finished second with 565 and 501 points, respectively.
When Notre Dame men’s swimming and diving at the BIG EAST championships is mentioned, the name Jonathan Pierce (Newburgh, Ind.) immediately comes to mind. Last year, Pierce became the first Irish swimmer to win a BIG EAST title in consecutive seasons, taking first place in the 1,650 freestyle (15:33.16). Pierce won the 1,650 in 1999 in 15:35.65.
Pierce should be a favorite to win the 1,650 this season as well. He posted the top time on the team in the 1,000 freestyle (9:36.86).
Another Irish swimmer that figures to make some noise at the league championship is senior Ryan Verlin (Rye, NY). Verlin has been swimming faster and faster over the last few weeks, posting multiple individual wins against Cleveland State and St. Bonaventure.
Verlin placed second at the 2000 BIG EAST meet in the 200 butterfly (1:48.39) and has a top time of 1:50.45 in the event this season.
The Irish will also receive a boost from freshman Matt Obringer (Jacksonville, Fla.). Obringer has been outstanding in the middle-distance freestyle events, posting the top times on the team in the 100, 200 and 500 freestyle.
Notre Dame should also expect some important points from its talented group of divers. Herb Huesman (Cincinnati, Ohio), Andy Maggio (Cincinnati, Ohio), Tony Xie (Granger, Ind.) and Joe Miller (South Bend, Ind.) have all qualified for the conference meet and if their dual meet success is any indication, should score some points for their team.
All four divers contributed to an undefeated diving event record in dual meet action this season. Maggio’s 350.48 point production vs. Cleveland State ranks as tops in school history, right in front of teammate Huesman’s 335.60 total.
Huesman finished fourth in both one- and three-meter diving in the 1998 BIG EAST Championships and should provide the team some veteran leadership and guidance.