Results (PDF) Championship Central
GREENSBORO, N.C. — At the end of day one, the Irish women are in fifth place with 144 points at the ACC Diving and Women’s Swimming Championships. The evening finals were highlighted by an NCAA “A” cut finish by the women’s 800 free relay team, automatically qualifying them for the upcoming NCAA Championships in March. Touching the wall in 7:02.36, Abbie Dolan, Sinead Eksteen, Lauren Heller and Kyra Sarazen combined for a new school record in the event.
“It was an incredible day of swimming and diving for us,” Head Coach Mike Litzinger said. “With three Notre Dame records, an NCAA “A” time and some great diving got us jump started for a great week of competition ahead.
“I am incredibly proud of this team. The bond that this group has formed and the desire evident in the performance is inspiring. The 800 Free Relay willed themselves to third and our other swims all point to great things ahead.”
Record Breakers
Three Notre Dame program records fell on the first day in Greensboro. The first swim event of the day, the 200 medley relay, finished with a time of 1:26.78, dropping over a second of their seeded time.
The second and final event of the day saw the Irish women claim bronze in the 800 free relay as well as two school records. Leading the team off, Abbie Dolan cemented her name on the records board with a 1:43.63 split in her 200 free leg. The final time of 7:02.36 was over seven seconds off their seed time and good for an NCAA “A” cut.
“Abbie Dolan lead off an incredible 800 Free Relay with a new Notre Dame record in the 200 free ,1:43.63, and handed it off to Sinead Eksteen, Lauren Heller and Kyra Sarazen who finished third with a final time of 7:02.36 breaking the old school record by over two seconds,” he added.
In the Well
Austin Flaute qualified for the men’s 1-meter diving competition following his prelims performance. At the evening finals, he posted an eighth place finish when he accumulated 273.75 points. David Petrison took 20th overall in the prelims and Christian Herrera finished 32nd.
On the women’s side, Kelly Straub, Erin Isola and Annie Wiese finished next to each other in the preliminary standings. Straub led the Irish trio of women with 269 total points and 12th overall followed by Isola (13th, 266.35) and Wiese (14th, 263.25).
“Austin Flaute’s 8th Place finish on 1m was an unexpected surprise,” Litzinger said. “The trio on Erin Isola, Kelly Straub and Annie Wiese scores major points finishing 11th, 12th and 13th. Overall, it was a very successful day on the boards.”
Up Next
The Irish women and divers return to the pool tomorrow, February 21 for the second day of the ACC Championship meet. Prelims begin at 10 a.m. and finals will get underway at 6 p.m.