The Notre Dame Fighting Irish opened their 2014-2015 campaign on Saturday with a win over traditional rival Michigan State in South Bend, taking a 182-118.
Seven women won individual events for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at this meet. That included three who won multiple individual events.
Among those three multiple winners was All-American, and American Record holder, Emma Reaney. She started her season off on strong footing with wins in the 100 breast (1:02.57), the 200 breast (2:19.08), and an exhibitioned-victory in the 200 IM (2:06.79).
She added to that a 28.34 breaststroke split on Notre Dame’s winning 200 medley relay to go four-for-four on the day.
Shelby Lacy had an impressive day in the 100 breaststroke as well, placing 2nd for Michigan State in 1:05.81. Last year, she didn’t go under 1:06 until the Spartans’ mid-season invite in late November.
The times weren’t as good as we’ve seen from Reaney to open past seasons, but after spending the summer training at SwimMAC Carolina, the transition back to yards this season is a little different.
The other multiple winner off the blocks for Notre Dame was Catherine Mulquin. She picked up victories in both the 100 back (56.67) and 100 free (52.61) and was 2nd in the 50 free (24.14) to teammate Cat Galletti (24.06).
The meet wasn’t entirely one-sided, though. The Spartans got in good shots in both the 500 and 1000 freestyles, where they finished 1-2 in each. That included double wins from senior Becca Berman, who swam 5:08.44 and 10:22.76 for the victories. Among the swimmers she beat included NCAA qualifier Bridget Casey from Notre Dame, who was 3rd in the 500 free (5:10.57).
While that’s an event not too far out of Casey’s comfort zone, it’s not an event that she raced at NCAA’s last year. Her primary event is the 200 fly, in which she swam to a 2:04.14 victory on Friday.
This is Tim Welsh’s first victory as the head women’s coach at Notre Dame since 1995. He took over as the interim head coach a season after retiring from the men’s team. He was previously the head women’s coach from 1985-1995.