Oct. 29, 2005
The University of Notre Dame women’s swimming and diving team (0-2) dropped its second dual meet of the season at Purdue (1-0) 172-128 on Saturday afternoon, but the Irish once again posted a spirited effort against one of the top teams in the nation.
After getting edged by #8 California 156.5-141.5 on Friday evening, a great rally in the second half of the meet against Purdue just fell short. Trailing at the first break 78-53, the Irish posted four wins in the last seven events but could not overcome the Boilermaker’s point advantage.
Notre Dame cut the lead to 127-118 after a victory in the 200 IM, but Purdue ended up sweeping the top two spots in both diving events to put the meet out of reach.
The Irish were led once again by junior Katie Carroll. Carroll won three individual events for the second straight meet and showed off her flexibility as well. After winning the 200 free (in school record time), 100 fly and 400 individual medley against California on Friday, Carroll came back to win the 200 fly, 100 fly and 200 IM against Purdue.
Carroll’s 200 fly time of 2:00.98 was an NCAA “B” cut, as was her 2:03.24 effort in the 200 IM. Already this season, Carroll has posted NCAA consideration times in the 200 freestyle, 200 butterfly, 400 IM and 200 IM.
Other event winners for the Irish included freshman Claire Hutchinson in the 1,000 freestyle (10:07.69), sophomore Caroline Johnson in the 100 backstroke (56.37), junior Ann Barton in the 200 backstroke (2:03.07) and junior Jessica Stephens in the 200 breaststroke (2:18.45).
Notre Dame will return to action against BIG EAST Conference opponent Pittsburgh on the road Nov. 4. The Irish will return home to face Minnesota on Nov. 11 at 5:00 p.m. in the Rolfs Aquatic Center.