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Cronk Wins Two Events But Irish Stumble Against Purdue, Kentucky

The rookie now ranks fourth in school history in the 400 IM and eighth in the 200 free

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Notre Dame women’s swimming and diving was back in action on Friday after a long holiday break that saw a nearly two-month lapse in competition. The Irish fell to home team Purdue, 182.5-117.5 and Kentucky, 186.5-113.5. 

Despite the losses, freshman Carli Cronk continues to prove she is one of the NCAA’s best rookies. Cronk won both the 200 free (1:46.51) and 400 IM (4:11.55). She went a best time in the 400 IM and moved up to fourth all-time in program history. The No. 1 recruit out of Texas in the 2024 class also moved into the program’s top 10 all-time in the 200 free, now sitting at eighth. Both times are NCAA B cuts. 

Senior Maggie Graves earned the win in the 1000 free with a time of 9:50.73, just a few seconds off her lifetime best. Graves also took fourth in the 500 (4:51.35)

While she finished just a few tenths shy of the win in the 200 fly, Lainey Mullins earned a B cut in that event with a time of 1:58.40. It is the third time this season that the Virginia transfer has broken the 2-minute barrier. 

Meanwhile in the diving well, junior Grace Courtney finished fifth in the 3-meter (300.68) and eighth in the 1-meter (263.18). Fellow junior Ben Nguyen was sixth in the 1-meter (307.35).

The Irish closed down the meet with a victory in the 200 free relay (1:30.32). Imogen Meers led off (23.42) and was followed by Jess Geriane (21.89), Katie Drumm (22.53) and Madelyn Christman (22.48).

Notre Dame closes out its 2024-25 home slate with the Tim Welsh Classic on Jan. 24-25. The meet will also serve as Senior Day.