Abbie Dolan (Matt Lunsford-USA TODAY Sports)

Women Sweep, Men Split In Weekend Duals

NOTRE DAME, Ind. —The Notre Dame swimming and diving team ended the second day of competition with a sweep and a split. The Irish women continue to be undefeated in the 2018-19 season, picking up two more victories to put their season record at 7-0-1. Dominating the races from start to finish, the women posted wins of 256-97 (Virginia Tech) and 255-98 (Pitt). The men concluded the weekend duals with a victory of 232-121 over Pitt while dropping a close one to Virginia Tech, 180-173.

On the second day, the Irish men and women combined for nine first-place finishes, bringing the two-day total to 22. The women opened the morning with a top-time in the 200 medley relay, touching the wall in 1:40.41. That team, anchored by Abbie Dolan, included Carly Quast, Meaghan O’Donnell and Cailey Grunhard. Lindsay Stone took first in the 500 free with a time of 4:50.54 to give the team an early lead through two events.

“It was a fantastic two days of competition for us,” head coach Mike Litzinger said. “Our women continued on track from both ends of the pool. We showed our versatility throughout the meet by having the ability to move athletes into multiple events. Our next stop is the Ohio State Invite, and I am looking forward to seeing what we can do in a 3 day format.”

In the men’s 500 free, Zach Yeadon, following his record breaking performance in the 1,000 free yesterday, set a Rolfs Aquatics Center pool record with his final time of 4:20.34, breaking the previous record of 4:21.66 which he set last season.

Dolan, a member of the first-place relay to begin the meet, posted her second top-finish of the day with a 1:58.01 finish in the 200 fly. She was followed closely behind by teammate Luciana Thomas (1:59.15).

In the 100 back, Jack Montessi recorded the second first-place individual finish for the Irish men on day two, racing to the wall in 48.34, narrowly edging off his two Virginia Tech opponents that were nipping at his heels.

Immediately after, in the 200 breast, the Irish women swept the competition finishing 1-2-3. Meaghan O’Donnell led the team with a 2:18.75 time, followed closely by Sammie Eyolfson (2:18.92) and Sarah Nicholls (2:20.78). Looking to do the same, the men followed up with a second and third place finish in the same event, with Josh Bottleberghe getting out-touched at the wall for a second place finish in 2:02.72. Rex Riley finished third with a final time of 2:03.66.

To end her individual races, Dolan recorded another first-place finish, touching the wall in 1:46.83 in the 200 free, just shy of the pool record.

Adding to her elite day, Dolan led the first-place Irish 400 free relay team of her, Skylar Fore, Cailey Grunhard and Sofia Revilak to another top-finish (3:22.51). She finished the day with a team-high four first-place finishes.

The Irish men would come in second in the same race, with Tabahn Afrik, Aaron Schultz, Sadler McKeen and Zach Yeadon finishing in 2:57.33.

“Our men truly fought until the very last event,” Litzinger said about the close finish. “Having athletes take on the challenge of multiple doubles, and relay efforts pushed us to the limit and it was great to see their response. Hat’s off to VT for their effort gaining the victory and to Pitt as well as every squad poured their all into the meet.”

Through the diving portion of the day, Erin Isola led the competition, finishing first in the 1-meter event with a score of 292.05. Kelly Straub finished fourth of 13, with a total score of 267.70.
The men spent day two on the 3-meter board, with Austin Flaute leading the Irish and recording a third-place overall finish with 333.80 points. David Petrison (268) and Christian Herrera (262.45) finished fourth and fifth, respectively.

The Irish will return to action next weekend (November 10-11) at the ACC/Big Ten Challenge in West Lafayette, Indiana before heading to Columbus, Ohio to close out the fall slate of competition at the Ohio State Fall Invitational (November 15-17).

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