Jan. 17, 2014
NOTRE DAME, Ind. – A former BIG EAST archrival and future Atlantic Coast Conference foe awaits the No. 24 University of Notre Dame women’s swimming and diving team at 11 a.m. Saturday as the Irish travel to Louisville, Ky., and a meeting with the No. 14 Cardinals at Ralph Write Natatorium on the campus of the University of Louisville.
The Irish and Cardinals developed quite a rivalry in the BIG EAST when UL joined the league in 2006. For the first handful of years, Notre Dame continued its dominance of the conference as it won conference titles from 2006-10 (to conclude its run of 14 in a row from 97-10). However, Louisville wouldn’t stay down for long as the Cardinals took over and won the final three (2010-13) with the Irish finishing second all three times. Now Notre Dame is gearing up for its first ACC meet, with Louisville knocking at the door waiting for admission in 2015.
Notre Dame (6-4) has been on a roll for much of the year after getting off to an 0-3 start as the Irish have won six of their last seven duals as well as taking first at the competitive Hawkeye Invitational.
In addition to veteran standouts Emma Reaney, Kelly Ryan, Bridget Casey and Allison Casareto, several others have stepped up to help the Irish take down opponent after opponent, most notably junior Courtney Whyte, sophomore Lindsey Streepey and freshman Katie Miller.
Whyte, who is third in the ACC and tied for 42nd nationally in the 100 fly (53.44), has dropped her 100 fly time by a second and a half since last February and has finished in the top three in both the fly and back specialties throughout the course of the season.
“Courtney made the decision to raise her game this year and all her success has been because of her own effort and hard work,” said head coach Brian Barnes. “She is one of the leaders on this team and has really proven that through her work in and out of the pool.”
On the boards, Streepey has given the Irish a powerful 1-2 punch with Casareto as the two have combined to win nine times between the 1- and 3-meter disciplines. Both earned ACC Diver of the Week honors once during the fall semester.
Miller has burst onto the scene during her freshman year as a versatile newcomer that can swim different programs depending on the Irish strategy for the meet. The Copley, Ohio native has won events such as the 200 IM, 400 IM, 100 back and 500 free during her rookie campaign.
“Katie, like Courtney, is raising her game as we enter championship season,” said Barnes. “She is a great teammate and is only interested in helping Notre Dame be successful.”
Louisville (3-2), who is competing in the American Athletic Conference for a season before joining the ACC next season, is led by sophomore Kelsi Worrell, senior Gisselle Kohoyda and junior Tanja Kylliainen.
Worrell is a versatile swimmer that is third nationally in the 200 fly (1:54.12), sixth in the 100 fly (51.94), 16th in the 50 free (22.40) and 100 free (48.53). Kohoyda is 22nd in the 200 breast (2:10.92) while Kylliainen is fourth in the 200 fly (1:54.13) and eighth in the 400 IM (4:07.57).
Last year the Cardinals took down the Irish, 162-138, at Rolfs Aquatic Center.
Fans can follow the meet through the live results link on UND.com.
Saturday’s Order of Events
200 Medley Relay
1,000 Free
200 Free
100 Back
100 Breast
200 Fly
50 Free
1-Meter Diving
100 Free
200 Back
200 Breast
500 Free
100 Fly
3-Meter Diving
200 IM
400 Free Relay
2013-14 School Records
200 Breaststroke
Emma Reaney – 2:05.85
ACC Rankings (Top 3 Only)
100 Breaststroke
1. Emma Reaney – 59.22
200 Breaststroke
1. Emma Reaney – 2:05.85
200 IM
1. Emma Reaney – 1:55.18
100 Butterfly
3. Courtney Whyte – 53.44
400 Medley Relay
1. Katie Miller / Reaney / Whyte / Kelly Ryan – 3:36.84
200 Medley Relay
2. Catherine Mulquin / Reaney / Catherine Galletti / Ryan – 1:39.80
NCAA Rankings – Individual (Top 50 Only)
200 Breaststroke
1. Reaney – 2:05.85
100 Breaststroke
6. Reaney – 59.22
21. Christen McDonough – 1:00.51
200 IM
6. Reaney – 1:55.18
28. Miller – 1:58.16
400 IM
27. Miller – 4:12.06
200 Backstroke
34. Ryan – 1:55.75
100 Butterfly
T-42. Whyte – 53.44
200 Butterfly
28. Bridget Casey – 1:57.62
100 Backstroke
T-50. Ryan – 53.87
NCAA Rankings – Relays (Top 25 Only)
200 Free Relay
24. McDonough / Ryan / Galletti / Reaney – 1:31.55
200 Medley Relay
21. Mulquin / Reaney / Galletti / Ryan – 1:39.80
400 Medley Relay
16. Miller / Reaney / Whyte / Ryan – 3:36.84
— Russell Dorn, Assistant Media Relations Director
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