March 20, 2014
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – The University of Notre Dame women’s swimming team got off to a quick start at the 2014 NCAA Championships Thursday afternoon as junior Emma Reaney qualified for the finals in the 200 IM, while freshman Katie Miller set a career best in the same event to just miss out on honorable mention All-America honors.
Reaney, who guaranteed herself another All-America scroll to up her career total to three, finished second in her heat and fourth overall with a time of 1:55.01 to move on to Thursday night’s finals.
The Lawrence, Kan., native finished the first 100 yards in 54.28 before coming back in 1:00.73 to cruise into the finals.
“The last two years Emma has won the consolation final in the 200 IM, but today she had the determination to get into the top eight in the morning prelims and secure All-America honors,” said Barnes. “She finished second in her heat and looked good in the water. She was strong and organized the race well. It was great to see. She will definitely be in the mix in the evening session.”
Miller, meanwhile, lowered her personal best by 1.38 seconds in the 200 IM to take 22nd and finish just .19 seconds out of qualifying for the consolation finals.
“I was so excited to watch Katie get a lifetime best in the 200 IM,” said head coach Brian Barnes. “She stepped up, narrowed her focus over the last couple of weeks and became dialed in. Her skill set has continuously improved over the course of this season. Today she embraced the strategy and applied it to a tee. It’s a huge confidence boost for her and I think she has the ability to organize a great prelim swim in the 400 IM tomorrow.”
Elsewhere in the prelims session, the 400 medley relay team composed of Catherine Mulquin, Reaney, Courtney Whyte and Kelly Ryan placed 22nd with a time of 3:36.28.
Thursday night’s finals get underway at 8 p.m. (ET). Fans can follow through live results and free live video. Links for both are at the top of the page. Also follow @NDwSwimming for live results and quotes.
–Russell Dorn, Assistant Media Relations Director
–ND–