SOUTH BEND, Ind. — Notre Dame will close out its home meet slate for the 2023-24 season this weekend, as the Irish welcome Ohio State, Indiana State and Akron to the Tim Welsh Invitational on Jan. 26-27. It will also serve as the program’s Senior Day.
Men’s Preview
Within this weekend’s meet will be a clash of two top-25 teams: No. 12 Notre Dame and No. 14 Ohio State.
Last week, for the third time this season, Irish freestyler Chris Guiliano was named the ACC Swimmer of the Week. He won both the 50 (19.55) and 100 free (41.84) against Princeton and Navy two weeks ago, and he took second in the 200 free (1:33.62). Overall in the NCAA this year, his season-bests rank fourth in the 50 free (18.84), third in the 100 free (41.23) and fifth in the 200 free (1:32.14). The 100 and 200 times are the fastest in the ACC.
The Irish are coming off of victories over the Tigers and the Midshipmen last week and moved to 7-0 on the season in dual meets. Notre Dame has defeated five teams that are either ranked or received votes in the latest CSCAA Top 25: Louisville (13), Wisconsin (22), Navy (25), Pittsburgh (RV) and Princeton (RV).
Ohio State most recently defeated a ranked Michigan squad, 163-137. The Buckeyes also have an impressive win over Virginia Tech, 193.5-178.5 from October. Ohio State won seven individual events over the Wolverines with sprinter Ruslan Gaziev leading the way. He won the 100 free with a time of 43.21 and the 100 back with a time of 46.77. Gaziev has the 20th-best time in the nation this year in the 100 free (42.36). He notched that mark at the Ohio State Invitational in November where Guiliano went his 41.23.
Akron and Indiana State do not have men’s programs.
Women’s Preview
No. 5 Ohio State will be the sole ranked team participating this weekend, although the Irish women are trending in the right direction. Junior Madelyn Christman earned ACC Swimmer of the Week honors the last time she competed after winning the 100 (52.78) and 200 back (1:54.07) against Princeton and Navy. Both performances were NCAA B cuts, and her 200 back performance was the best of her career.
Distance freestyler Maggie Graves is also having a fantastic year for the Irish. She posted a personal best in the 1000 free against Princeton and Navy with a time of 9:45.27. That mark ranks 25th in the country this year and is second all-time in program history.
Like the men’s team, the Ohio State women are coming off of a 184-116 win over rival Michigan and are 5-0 on the season in dual meets. The Buckeyes won nine individual events against the Wolverines, including wins in the 100 breast (1:00.06), 200 breast (2:12.46) and 200 IM (2:00.96) by Josephine Panitz. Notre Dame swam against Ohio State at the Ohio State Invite earlier this year. The Buckeyes won the event, while the Irish finished fourth.
On January 13, Indiana State beat Quincy and fell to Southern Illinois in its sole competition of the 2024 year. The Sycamores won eight individual events; Chloe Farro won both the 50 (23.17) and 100 free (50.02). Diver Bailey Betzer won the 3-meter for Indiana State. The Sycamores are 8-1 in dual meets this season.
Finally, Akron arrives in South Bend fresh off a 174-124 victory over Eastern Michigan last weekend. Zips senior Rachel Sabotin earned MAC Co-Swimmer of the Week honors after winning the 100 fly (54.78) and 200 fly (2:02.64) at the meet. Akron is 2-2 in dual meets this season and already swam Ohio State in November.
Friday’s sessions begin at 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. Saturday’s lone session will start at 11 a.m. Seniors will be celebrated prior to the start of the Saturday session. Results will be available on Meet Mobile, but there is not a live stream available for the meet.