Nov. 14, 2014
NOTRE DAME, Ind. – The University of Notre Dame’s women swimming and diving squad won 10 of the 16 events Friday night against Illinois to claim a 157-143 victory over the Illini in the fall home finale at Rolfs Aquatic Center.
Leading the Irish in wins were senior Emma Reaney and junior Catherine Galletti, who totaled two individual wins apiece and also contributed to the victorious 200 medley relay.
Notre Dame also had impressive victories from Catherine Mulquin in the 100 free and in the 200 medley relay.
The Irish (4-5) swept the top three spots in the 200 breaststroke and the 1- and 3-meter diving events.
Reaney, freshman Sherri McIntee, and junior Genevieve Bradford combined to take the top three spots in the 200 breast. Allison Casareto, Emma Gaboury and Lindsey Streepey took the top three spots in the 1- and 3-meter springboard with Casareto winning the 1-meter event and Gaboury taking the gold in the 3-meter event.
This meet marked the third straight weekend in which the Irish competed. Interim head coach Tim Welsh was proud of his team’s performance and the heart his ladies showed today.
“That [meet] was a challenge, and we talked about how this would be a toughness test,” said Welsh. “We knew Illinois would race well, we knew there would be some close races, and this is a toughness test, and in the end, toughness comes down to heart. I love the heart on this team.”
Welsh also noted the importance of the Irish divers to the victory over Illinois.
“We certainly do not take them for granted,” said Welsh. “We love our divers. They are a huge help to us.”
Emma Gaboury was pleased with her effort off the boards today as she collected a first and a second place finish in the 3- and 1-meter springboards, respectively.
“I dove pretty well. I think I had a really good meet,” said Gaboury. “I was really consistent today–we’ve all been training really hard and I think it is finally starting to pay off.”
Coming off the stretch of three straight weekends with a meet, the Irish have their sights set on the Texas and Iowa Invitationals, which Galletti refers to as a critical point in the season.
“It is a great opportunity for us to measure where we are during the middle of the season, and it tells us what work needs to be done the rest of the way,” said Galletti. “Everyone is really excited.”
The Irish will enjoy a break in their schedule through the Thanksgiving weekend. The women swimmers will resume their schedule when they head to Austin, Texas for the Texas Invitational from December 4-6, while the women divers will compete at the Hawkeye Invitational from December 5-7.
NOTRE DAME VICTORIES (10)
200 Medley Relay (1:43.12) – Catherine Mulquin / Emma Reaney / Courtney Whyte / Catherine Galletti
100 Breast (1:02.66) – Emma Reaney
200 Fly (2:02.54) – Bridget Casey
50 Free (23.89) – Catherine Galletti
3-meter Diving (323.10) – Emma Gaboury
100 Free (51.61) – Catherine Mulquin
200 Breast (2:16.80) – Emma Reaney
100 Fly (56.82) – Catherine Galletti
1-meter Diving (315.07) – Allison Casareto
200 IM (2:06.56) – Katie Miller
NOTRE DAME RUNNER-UPS (7)
1,000 Free (10:25.41) – Molly Treble
100 Back (55.72) – Catherine Mulquin
3-meter Diving (292.43) – Allison Casareto
200 Back (2:03.75) – Katie Miller
200 Breast (2:20.51) – Sherri McIntee
1-meter Diving (3:00.07) – Emma Gaboury
400 Free Relay (3:27.88) – Emma Reaney / Catherine Galletti / Courtney Whyte / Catherine Mulquin
–Andrew Bartolini, Swimming and Diving Guru
–ND–