Jan. 18, 2014
#14 Louisville 171, #24 ND 129
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The University of Notre Dame women’s swimming and diving program had been on a hot streak in duals since early November, reeling off wins in six of its last seven dual meets. However, that streak hit a bump in the road Saturday as the No. 24 Irish fell to the No. 14 University of Louisville Cardinals, 171-129, at Ralph Wright Natatorium despite a sweep in the diving disciplines and three individual wins from junior Emma Reaney. The Cardinals (4-2) won 10 of the 16 events to take down the Irish (6-5).
Reaney, who entered the meet leading the nation in the 200 breast and coming in sixth in the 100 breast and 200 IM, was given her best challenge all season in the 200 breast where she saw a familiar rival – senior Gisselle Kohoyda. At the 2011 BIG EAST Championships, Kohoyda took down Reaney in the 200 breast. Just a year later, the Lawrence, Kan., native returned the favor by topping Kohoyda in the same event. Today, the two went back-and-forth with Reaney ultimately claiming victory with a pool record swim of 2:11.12. Reaney swam the opening leg in 30.39 to take the early lead but Kohoyda came back with splits of 33.20 and 33.43 to pull ahead. However, Reaney wouldn’t be denied as she turned in a scorching split of 32.82 to touch the pad just .03 seconds ahead of Kohoyda.
In earlier action, Reaney won the 100 breast in 1:01.01 before finishing off the meet with a victory in the 200 IM (2:02.27).
The Irish also swept both diving events, dominating Louisville in both disciplines. In the 1-meter, sophomore Lindsey Streepey picked up another win with 299.62 points. She wasn’t alone at the top, however, as junior Allison Casareto (296.17) took second and sophomore Emma Gaboury (256.27) placed fourth.
In the 3-meter, Gaboury claimed her first individual victory as an Irish student-athlete, crushing the field with 327.38 points. Notre Dame swept the podium as Streepey placed second (313.13) and Casareto placed third (307.28).
Earning the final event win for Notre Dame was senior Kelly Ryan, who put together a solid showing in the 200 back to win going away in 1:59.80. Her next closest competitor finished in 2:01.50.
Despite not winning, junior Bridget Casey put together an inspiring swim in the 200 fly, taking second in an NCAA B cut time of 1:59.36, just .19 off the time of Tanja Kylliainen, who entered the meet ranked fourth in the country in the event.
Other runner-up finishes included Ryan in the 200 free (1:50.11) and 50 free (23.58), freshman Catherine Mulquin in the 100 free (51.85) and fellow freshman Katie Miller in the 200 IM (2:05.54) and 500 free (5:00.72). Ryan just missed out on victory in the 200 free, losing to Kylliainen by .01 seconds before falling to Kelsi Worrell in the 50. Worrell entered the day ranked 16th in the nation in the event.
The Irish also placed second in the meet-opening 200 medley relay as the squad of Mulquin, Reaney, Galletti and Ryan touched the wall in 1:42.66.
Notre Dame returns home in two weeks to hold the annual Shamrock Invitational. Saturday will mark Senior Day for five Irish student-athletes – Sarah Dotzel, Mikelle Masciantonio, Christen McDonough, Kelly Ryan and Lauren Stauder.
For more information on Notre Dame women’s swimming and diving follow the Irish on Facebook (/NDwSwimmingDiving) and Twitter (NDwSwimming).
Final Score
Louisville 171, Notre Dame 129
Notre Dame Wins
100 Breast (1:01.01): Emma Reaney (NCAA B Cut)
1-Meter Dive (299.62): Lindsey Streepey
200 Back (1:59.80): Kelly Ryan
200 Breast (2:11.12): Emma Reaney (NCAA B Cut, Pool Record)
3-Meter Dive (327.38): Emma Gaboury
200 IM (2:02.27): Emma Reaney (NCAA B Cut)
Notre Dame Runner-Up Finishes
200 Medley Relay (1:42.66): Catherine Mulquin / Emma Reaney / Catherine Galletti / Kelly Ryan
200 Free (1:50.11): Kelly Ryan
200 Fly (1:59.36): Bridget Casey (NCAA B Cut)
50 Free (23.58): Kelly Ryan
1-Meter Dive (296.17): Allison Casareto
100 Free (51.85): Catherine Mulquin
500 Free (5:00.72): Katie Miller
3-Meter Dive (313.13): Lindsey Streepey
200 IM (2:05.54): Katie Miller
— Russell Dorn, Assistant Media Relations Director
–ND–