Feb. 22, 1997

Notre Dame Women’s Swimming Wins BIG EAST Championships

PISCATAWAY, N.J. — Notre Dame’s women’s swimming anddiving team won its first BIG EAST championship Saturday at RutgersUniversity. Third a year in their first BIG EAST championships, theIrish out distanced second-place Miami by 661-547.5 to claim thetitle. Notre Dame’s men’s team placed seventh for the secondconsecutive year. Notre Dame women’s head coach Bailey Weathers wasnamed the BIG EAST women’s swimming coach of the year.

Senior All-American Erin Brooks tied a school record with her1:57.68 to win her second consecutive BIG EAST 200 backstroke titlewhile teammate Allison Hollis was third in 2:01.26. Freshman AlisonNewell won the 200 butterfly title and freshman teammate Liz Bargerwas third. Courtney South was second in the 100 freestyle and ShannonSuddarth was third in the 200 breaststroke. Notre Dame capped off itsfirst BIG EAST title was a second-place finish in the 400 freestylerelay.

Senior captain Matt Rose capped off Notre Dame’s men’s night withhis second-consecutive fifth-place finish in the 200 breaststroke in2:05.45, a career best for Rose. Freshman John Lubker was fifth inthe 1,650 freestyle.