Jan. 20, 2017
By Sinhue Mendoza
NOTRE DAME, Ind. — The University of Notre Dame swimming and diving program had a solid day of swimming but lost to No. 7/10 Louisville Friday. The Fighting Irish women lost a nip-and-tuck battle, 160-140, while the men were defeated, 179-121.
Notre Dame head coach Mike Litzinger was satisfied by what he saw from his squad against Louisville.
“We had a great meet with Louisville this afternoon,” said Litzinger. “Both of our teams continued to compete and race until the very end.”
Litzinger was referencing the fact that his women’s squad tied the score with the Cardinals late in the dual meet after Sofia Revilak, (54.21) and Erin Sheehan (54.66) finished first and second in the 100-yard butterfly.
The Cardinals responded by taking points in diving and sweeping the top three spots of the 200-yard individual medley.
The Irish did not go away and took a hard-earned win in the 200-yard freestyle relay with the foursome of Katie Smith, Abbie Dolan, Sofia Revilak and Catherine Mulquin clocking in at 1:31.33. Unfortunately, it wouldn’t be enough to catch Louisville, who took second place in the event to secure the win.
Standout Swims
200 Medley Relay
The men’s relay teams earned first in third in the event. Robby Whitacre, Trent Jackson, Justin Plaschka and Tabahn Afrik timed in at 1:29.20. Seconds behind were teammates Jack Montesi, Steven Shek, Matt Grauslys and Daniel Speers tapping the board at 1:29.48.
Women’s 200 Freestyle
The Irish earned first and second points for the team with Abbie Dolan clocking a 1:46.87 and Lauren Heller tapping in at 1:49.52. Notre Dame’s 1-2 punch was good enough to defeat the defending ACC 200 freestyle champion.
Women’s 100 Backstroke
Catherine Mulquin won the race swimming at 54.58 and it was good enough for a NCAA `B’ cut time. Teammate Alice Treuth came in third with a time of 55.38.
Women’s 100 Breaststroke
Teammates Trent Jackson and Steven Shek earned second and third in the event. Jackson coming in at 55.05. Good enough for a NCAA `B’ cut. Shek coming shortly behind at 56.12.
Men’s 200 Butterfly
Matt Grauslys won the event at 1:48.76 and teammate Kevin Bradley came behind him in third timing in at 1:49.00.
Women’s 50 Freestyle
The Fighting Irish men and women took first place honors in the event. Justin Plaschka winning with a time of 20.35. Katie Smith came in first coming in at 22.82. Earning a NCAA `B’ cut time.
Women’s 100 Freestyle
Abbie Dolan won the event tapping the board at 50.10. Teammate Catherine Mulquin came in third with a time of 51.00. On the men’s side Tabahn Afrik earned second place points timing in at 44.50.
Women’s 200 Backstroke
Alice Treuth won the event with a time of 1:56.69. Earning her a NCAA `B’ cut time.
Men’s 200 Breaststroke
For a second time in the meet it was the Notre Dame men earning second and third in the result. Trent Jackson at 2:01.56 and Steven Shek swimming in at 2:03.64.
Women’s 500 Yard Freestyle
The Fighting Irish women earned second and third in the event. Molly Treble swimming a time of 4:57.45. Reilly Lanigan coming behind her in a time of 4:58.51.
The Fighting Irish are back in action tomorrow afternoon down state in Indianapolis to face Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis. Swimming starts at 1 p.m. ET and fans can follow live results of the meet on both team Twitter accounts, @NDWSwimDive and @NDMensswimdive, with a complete recap posted to und.com at the conclusion of the meet.
– ND –