March 20, 2013
NOTRE DAME, Ind. – Six members of the University of Notre Dame women’s swimming and diving team are bound for Indianapolis, Ind., and the 2013 NCAA Championships that are slated to run from Thursday through Saturday at the IUPUI Natatorium.
Swimmers Kim Holden, Kelly Ryan, Emma Reaney, Bridget Casey and Catherine Galletti and diver Jenny Chiang make up the Irish contingent that is the biggest for the program since 2007. Holden, Ryan, Reaney, Casey and Chiang all qualified automatically for the NCAAs in their respective individual events, while Galletti is going along with the group and can compete in any of the relay events.
The appearance marks the second appearance for veterans Holden, Ryan, Reaney and Chiang. Last year Ryan earned All-America honors in the 200 back, while Reaney received honorable mention All-America accolades in the 200 IM, 100 breast and 200 breast. Chiang just missed out on All-America honors in the 1-meter dive, placing 17th in the prelims. Holden appeared in the NCAAs in 2011 as a sophomore, finishing in the top 25 in both the 100 and 200 back events.
Holden, who won three events on her way to earning seven all-BIG EAST scrolls at this year’s BIG EAST Championships, is eligible to swim the 100 fly and the 100 and 200 back after obtaining NCAA B cuts in all three events.
Ryan also won three events and earned six all-BIG EAST medals and is eligible to swim in the 100 and 200 back and the 100 free after obtaining NCAA B cuts in all three events.
Reaney was named the BIG EAST Women’s Most Outstanding Swimmer of the meet after winning six titles and earning all-conference accolades in seven events. She is eligible to swim in the 200 IM and the 100 and 200 breaststroke.
The Lawrence, Kan., native obtained NCAA A cuts and ranks in the top seven in all three events heading into the meet.
Casey finished second in the 200 fly at BIG EAST last week in an NCAA B cut time to lock up her spot at nationals. She is eligible to swim in just the 200 fly.
All four individual swimming qualifiers (and Galletti) can also participate in any of the relays in which the Irish are eligible to compete in. These are the 400 medley and free, 200 medley and 800 free. Notre Dame earned at least a provisional standard in all four relays, with the 400 medley team of Ryan, Reaney, Holden and Galletti claiming an automatic standard in December when they went 3:34.86.
Chiang can compete in any of the diving disciplines this week after locking up her spot by finishing third in the 1-meter dive at last weekend’s NCAA Zone C Championships.
Reaney (200 IM), the 400 medley relay team and Chiang (1-Meter) will get the action started Thursday, with Holden and Ryan hitting the water in their individual events Friday morning. Casey will swim the 200 fly Saturday morning.
The Irish have now qualified two or more individuals for NCAAs in every season since 1997.
The top eight in each event earn All-America honors, while positions 9-16 are named Honorable Mention All-American.
ESPN3.com will stream finals sessions for both Friday and Saturday. Additionally, ESPNU will air a 90-minute show at 8 p.m. (ET) Wednesday, March 27.
Follow UND.com, @NDwSwimming on Twitter and Facebook.com/NDwSwimmingDiving on Facebook for the latest results on Notre Dame women’s swimming and diving at this weekend’s NCAA Championships.
Place Entering NCAAs:
5th – 100 Breast (58.84)
6th – 200 IM (1:55.05)
7th – 200 Breast (2:07.60)
21st – 200 Back (1:53.86)
57th – 100 Back (53.51)
94th – 100 Free (49.57)
T-24th – 100 Fly (52.57)
30th – 200 Back (1:54.33)
T-37th – 100 Back (53.07)
T-39th – 200 Fly (1:57.49)
Relays:
17th – 400 Medley (3:34.86)
22nd – 800 Free (7:10.84)
26th – 200 Medley (1:38.74)
33rd – 400 Free (3:19.37)
Events Eligible For:
Emma Reaney: 200 IM, 100 Breast, 200 Breast, Any of the four relays
Kim Holden: 100 Fly, 100 Back, 200 Back, Any of the four relays
Kelly Ryan: 200 Back, 100 Back, 100 Free, Any of the four relays
Bridget Casey: 200 Fly, Any of the four relays
Catherine Galletti: Any of the four relays
Relays: 400 Medley, 400 Free, 200 Medley, 800 Free
–ND–