March 23, 2013
Saturday Final Swimming Results
Saturday Preliminary Swimming Results
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – Sophomore Emma Reaney added yet another milestone to both her career and to the University of Notre Dame women’s swimming and diving history books as she became the ninth fastest female to ever swim the 200 breaststroke in a short course yards pool. The Lawrence, Kansas native finished in fifth place overall in a heat that included six of the top 10 performers in the history of the event. Reaney also lowered her own school record in the event with her 2:06.77 performance. She amassed four All-America citations during the championships and now has seven total, which is tied for fifth most in school history.
“It is fun to watch [Emma’s] confidence grow and change,” said head coach Brian Barnes. “We are seeing an elite level of courage out of her. She is a racer and a competitor and it is fun to watch her. This is what happens when hard work meets opportunity. It is really cool to see.”
The Irish accumulated 55 points over the three-day event to finish in 16th place overall out of the 43 scoring schools. The 16th place finish is the highest in program history, surpassing the 18th place finish at the 2000 NCAA Championships. The 55 points by Notre Dame is the second most in program history, trailing only the 2000 total of 74.5 points. Notre Dame earned seven All-America scrolls (counting the relay as one scroll), which is tied for the second most in program history with the 2002 total and trialing only the 2000 total of 10. In total, the Irish received 10 All-America honors over the course of the weekend when counting the relay to each participating swimmer.
“We had a good weekend,” said Barnes. “I was proud of the girls here today because they created their own opportunities this morning. I was proud of how prepared they showed up.”
In the morning preliminary session, Reaney swam a time of 2:07.00 in the 200 breaststroke, which at the time made her the 10th fastest female to ever swim the 200 breaststroke in a 25 yard pool. Amongst the other swimmers on that list are six Olympians and two Olympic Trials finalists. Reaney used a powerful second 100 yards to claim second place overall, earning her a spot in the “A” Final in the evening.
Senior Kim Holden and junior Kelly Ryan opened the evening for the Irish in the consolation finals of the 200 backstroke. It marked the first time in program history that the Irish have had two swimmers earn All-America honors in the same event. Holden powered through the final 100 yards to take 13th overall and fifth in her heat with a 1:54.29 performance. Ryan took 16th overall in 1:55.78. Earlier in the morning during the preliminary session, Ryan re-set her own school record with her 1:53.57 performance.
Sophomore Bridget Casey made her first appearance of the NCAA Championships with her 1:58.33 performance in the 200 butterfly, which was her second fastest time of the season. The Irish also competed in their third relay of the NCAA Championships as Ryan, Reaney, Holden and freshman Catherine Galletti finished in 24th place in the 400 free relay (3:19.69).
Finals Session | Event Summaries
200 Backstroke – Holden used a second 100 split of 58.09 to take fifth in the “B” final and 13th overall … Ryan took eighth in the heat to claim 16th overall … it marked the first time in school history that the Irish had two individuals earn All-America accolades in the same event.
200 Breaststroke – Reaney maintained a strong pace through the event and touched the pad in 2:06.77, which re-set her own school record … she passed Alia Atkinson on the all-time performer list as she is now the ninth fastest performer in 200 SCY breaststroke history.
Preliminary Session | Event Summaries
200 Backstroke – First up for the Irish was Kim Holden, who used a great middle 100 to finish in second place in her heat with a time of 1:54.21 and in 16th place overall … Kelly Ryan went out strong and held on for a fourth place finish her heat, finishing 12th overall in the prelims in 1:53.57, a new Notre Dame record.
200 Breaststroke – Reaney was strong through the first 100 yards, going out in 1:01.34 … she out-split the eventual winner, Breeja Larson of Texas A&M, over the second 100 but it wasn’t enough to overcome Larson … Reaney finished in 2:07.00, a new program record, finishing second overall … that time made Reaney the 10th fastest woman in the 200 short-course-yards breaststroke.
200 Butterfly – Casey used a powerful second 100 to pull up to the lead pack and take fourth in her heat, and 30th overall, with a time of 1:58.33, which was her second fastest time all season.
400 Free Relay – Ryan led the Irish off in a split of 49.77 … Reaney gave Notre Dame a slight lead after the second leg … Holden and Galletti held the Irish in the race as Notre Dame finished in third place in the heat with a time of 3:19.69 and 24th overall.
All-America (AA) and Honorable Mention All-America (HM) Accolades
Emma Reaney – 100 Breaststroke (AA), 200 Breaststroke (AA), 200 IM (HM), 400 Medley Relay (HM)
Kelly Ryan – 200 Backstroke (HM), 400 Medley Relay (HM)
Kim Holden – 200 Backstroke (HM), 400 Medley Relay (HM)
Jenny Chiang – 3-meter Diving (HM)
Catherine Galletti – 400 Medley Relay (HM)
NCAA Recap:
5th – 200 Breaststroke
5th – 100 Breaststroke
9th – 200 IM
13th – 400 Medley Relay
22nd – 200 Medley Relay
24th – 400 Free Relay
13th – 400 Medley Relay
16th – 200 Backstroke
22nd – 200 Medley Relay
43rd – 100 Backstroke
24th – 400 Free Relay
13th – 200 Backstroke
13th – 400 Medley Relay
22nd – 200 Medley Relay
24th – 400 Free Relay
26th – 100 Backstroke
37th – 100 Butterfly
13th – 400 Medley Relay
22nd – 200 Medley Relay
24th – 400 Free Relay
12th – 3-meter Diving
23rd – 1-meter Diving
30th – 200 Butterfly
— ND —