Nov. 6, 2013
NOTRE DAME, Ind. – In the least surprising news you’ll hear this week, University of Notre Dame standout Emma Reaney earned Atlantic Coast Conference Women’s Swimmer of the Week honors for the second time this season Tuesday.
Reaney, who was named BIG EAST Women’s Swimming and Diving Athlete of the Week six times in two seasons, has now received ACC accolades after both competition weekends this season.
Her latest honor comes after a sterling performance against Purdue where she won the 200 free (1:49.99), 100 breast (1:01.94) and the 200 breast (2:13.55) in addition to swimming a leg on the winning 200 medley relay squad (1:42.43). The Lawrence, Kan., native earned NCAA B cuts in both breaststroke swims.
While it is not surprising in the least that Reaney is dominating the breaststroke events this season, she has also been winning events that she sparingly competed in during her first two seasons. Against Indiana and Auburn she won the 100 fly and against Purdue she claimed the already-mentioned 200 free title.
“I was a little surprised with the 100 fly win, especially since it was against some high-caliber swim programs, but after 2 years here, I have realized that if the coaches put me in an event, they have enough confidence in me to win it,” said Reaney “At this point, I know that dual meets are all about out-touching the people around you and with my competitive nature, that’s all I have to focus on no matter what event it is.”
Just under a month into the season, Reaney is already making national waves as she is tied for fourth in the country in the 100 breast (1:00.94) as she looks to return to the NCAA Championships for the third consecutive year and add to her stock of two All-America trophies and five honorable mention All-America certificates.
“I think I’ve started this season out training harder than I ever have,” said Reaney. “October was a really intense month for us and I’m excited to see it pay off. As far as individual goals, I want to keep climbing the podium at NCAAs and eventually make it to that top spot. I’ve never been a huge specific goal setter, I just want to swim fast and have fun while doing it.”
As for the Irish, they suffered another heartbreaking loss to Purdue Friday, 155.5-144.5, but Reaney has been encouraged by the team chemistry and spirit this year.
“I saw a spark in the team at the beginning of the Purdue meet that hasn’t always been there at dual meets so that was uplifting and encouraging,” said the tri-captain. “We came together to stretch, cheer and get behind each other and I think we saw how helpful that was in the first half of the meet. The second half we lost a little bit of energy and, especially for us upperclassmen that have gone through this same loss over and over again, I think it gave the team a lot of motivation to keep working hard so it doesn’t happen again this season.”
The Irish hit the road again this weekend as they get their first taste of ACC action with a double dual at 11 a.m. Saturday in Pittsburgh against Virginia Tech and the host Panthers.
— Russell Dorn, Assistant Media Relations Director
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