Freshman Emma Reaney looks to continue her strong early-season performance this weekend in Columbus.

Women's Swimming and Diving Returns To Pool For OSU Invitational

Dec. 1, 2011

NOTRE DAME, Ind. – The Notre Dame women’s swimming and diving team travels to Columbus, Ohio this weekend for its final meet of 2011, the OSU Invitational.

The three-day meet will see the Irish battle four Big Ten foes in the host Buckeyes, Michigan State, Penn State and Purdue. The matchup with the Spartans will be the first of two this season, as the Irish will play host to MSU on Jan. 21 at Rolfs Aquatic Center. Notre Dame has already faced off with the Boilermakers, falling 168-131, in West Lafayette in early November.

Friday’s competition gets underway at 11 a.m. with the prelims and trials for the 500 free. The meet will follow championship format, with prelim events in the morning and finals at night on all three days.

“It’s a small meet, but we will be facing extremely good competition,” said head coach Brian Barnes. “We have plenty of opportunities to race with the prelim and final format. A lot of learning can take place, because they can get feedback in between the morning and evening sessions. It’s exciting that our team will have plenty of opportunities to compete against good swimmers.”

The Irish (3-3) are entering the water for the first time since a 188-112 setback at BIG EAST rival Louisville. In that meet, freshman Emma Reaney was a part of four victories (100 and 200 breast, 200 IM and 400 free relay) on her way to earning BIG EAST Women’s Swimming and Diving Athlete of the Week accolades.

Fans can follow the meet via live stats, with a full recap available at UND.com at the conclusion of each day.

Following the OSU Invitational, the Irish will take the remainder of December off from competition to train, before making their yearly trip to Hawaii to battle the Warriors at the beginning of January.

Schedule of Events

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 2 (Prelims/Trials: 11 a.m.): 500 Freestyle; 200 Individual Medley; 50 Freestyle; One-Meter Diving; (Friday Finals: 6 p.m.): 200 Freestyle Relay; 500 Freestyle; 200 Individual Medley; 50 Freestyle; One-Meter Diving; 400 Medley Relay

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 3 (Prelims/Trials: 10 a.m.): 400 Individual Medley; 100 Butterfly; 200 Freestyle; 100 Breaststroke; 100 Backstroke; Three-Meter Diving; (Saturday Finals: 5 p.m.): 200 Medley Relay; 400 Individual Medley; 100 Butterfly ; 200 Freestyle; 100 Breaststroke; 100 Backstroke; Three-Meter Diving; 800 Freestyle Relay

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 4 (Prelims/Trials: 9 a.m.): 200 Backstroke; 100 Freestyle; 200 Breaststroke; 200 Butterfly; Platform Diving; 1,650 Freestyle Timed Finals; (Finals: 3 p.m.): 1,650 Freestyle; 200 Backstroke; 100 Freestyle; 200 Breaststroke; 200 Butterfly; 400 Freestyle Relay

–ND–