NOTRE DAME, Ind. — The University of Notre Dame swimming and diving program wrapped the 2019 edition of the Shamrock Invitational Saturday afternoon. The women, who entered the final session of the event in first place, continued to harbor that winning mentality as they finished atop four of the final events.
Notre Dame’s women finished the meet with 1,191.50 points total, reigning victorious at the end of the Shamrock Invitational. The men, behind strong showings in the pool and the diving well, came up short of the win, earning second overall with a final score of 826.50
An early morning heat of the 1650 swim saw Sinead Eksteen place first in her heat to open the day. After an hour long hiatus that included a senior day celebration, the second heat of the event dove in which led the Irish to a sweep and an early boost of points.
Lindsay Stone set a Rolfs Aquatics Center pool record in the event when she touched the wall in 16:12.40 following 66 laps. Her record-breaking performance came as the first of the day and fifth of the weekend for the Irish who dominated the pool in the earlier sessions.
On her senior day, Alice Treuth recorded a 200 back best time of 1:56.48 to top the event and add to her team’s already impressive lead. Abbie Dolan and Sarah Nicholls also recorded individual top-finishes as representatives of the Irish as they won the 100 free and 200 breast events, respectively.
Zach Yeadon earned the lone men’s first place finish of the day when he won the 1650 free with a time of 15:09.73. The men finished the two-day, three-session meet with 826.50 points and second overall.
The final event of the day featured the 400 free relay where the women, comprised of Abbie Dolan, Carly Quast, Skylar Fore and Lauren Heller, finished second after being nudged out at the finish by Akron’s A squad. With the final event of the day, the natatorium was electric for the men’s 400 free relay as just 0.49 seconds separated the top-three spots. The Irish who looked to be able to surprise the opposition were out-touched at the wall by tenths of second to take third-place.
Erin Isola led the Irish divers in the 1-meter competition, making little splash as she tallied 278.40 points on Saturday morning for third overall. Austin Flaute led the men’s event for Notre Dame, taking fifth in the 3-meter with 306.95 points.
Statistical Standouts
The women’s 1650 free proved to be the most dominant event of the day for Notre Dame, sweeping the top-five spots as the meet began its third and final session. Sophomore Lindsay Stone led the charge for the Irish, completing the race in a pool-best time of 16:12.40.
Sinead Eksteen took first in her heat and second overall after touching the wall in 6:33.33. Seniors Ellie Berdusco (16:48.06) and Becca Walton (16:59.41) also contributed to the sweep, finishing third and fifth, respectively.
Madeline LaPorte also swam for the Blue and Gold in the event, posting a final time of 16:50.94 and fourth place overall.
The Well
Over on the far end of the pool, the Irish divers took part in two days of competition, competing on both the 1-meter and 3-meter boards. On Friday evening the women accounted for three spots in the top-five, claiming third through fifth as Claire Andrews (302.65), Kelly Straub (294.90) and Annie Wiese (288.80) earned top spots. Erin Isola also competed in the 3-meter competition, earning 261.50 points.
Austin Flaute earned the top spot for the Irish in the men’s 1-meter diving when he placed fifth overall with 288.20 points. David Petrison (276.15) and Christian Herrera (265.50) also competed, placing seventh and eighth, respectively.
On day two of the diving competition, the women took to the 1-meter board where Kelly Straub tallied 285.10 points for silver and Erin Isola earned fourth overall with 278.40 total points. Claire Andrews rounded out the Irish in the top-10 with her 10th place finish of 251.50.
In the men’s 3-meter, Austin Flaute, again, led the Irish, finishing fifth with 306.95. Christian Herrera came in right behind him, sixth overall with 281.25 total points. David Petrison placed eighth overall when he earned 266.05 points in the final diving event of the weekend.
Senior Day
The Irish recognized the team’s 13 seniors Saturday morning as the class of 2019 swam their final competitive laps in Rolfs Aquatics Center. The seniors, including Tabahn Afrik, Ellie Berdusco, Dan Fujan, Matt Grauslys, Paige Kaplan, Meaghan O’Donnell, Sofia Revilak, Jack Russell, Kyra Sarazen, Steven Shek, Nikki Smith, Alice Treuth and Becca Walton were honored as they met their parents on the pool deck for their continuous dedication and leadership to the team during their time at Notre Dame.
Up Next
The Irish travel to East Lansing, Michigan for their final dual meet of the season. The meet is scheduled for February 2 at noon.
Following the dual against the Spartans, Notre Dame swimmers and divers will have one final chance to make cuts for the post-season as they compete at the Ohio State Winter Invitational. The Invite, taking place February 16-17 will be the final regular season contest for the Irish before they begin the Atlantic Coast Conference Championships February 20-23 (women/diving) and February 27-March 2 (men).
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