MADISON, Wisc. — Notre Dame swimming and diving opened the 2026-27 season on the road at Wisconsin on Saturday, and while the Irish suffered a pair of losses at the hands of the Badgers, there were several notable performances. Shane Eckler, Daniel Knapp and Hollie Widdows each won two individual events.
As for final scores, the 22nd-ranked Wisconsin men topped RV Notre Dame 160-140, while the No. 14 Badgers escaped with a narrow victory over their female visitors, 202-95.
The Irish men started the meet with a victory, besting Wisconsin in the 200 medley relay composed of Marcus Reyes-Gentry (20.85), Jack Armour (24.03), Jeremy Kelly (21.04) and Eckler (18.89). Reyes-Gentry's lead-off leg was a best time in the 50 backstroke and now ranks second in program history.
Up next, while freshman James Darcy placed second in the 1000 freestyle, it was a notable debut for the rookie. His time of 9:03.10 is now the fourth-fastest showing in program history.
Reyes-Gentry, an All-American and Mexican record holder, posted a second win of the day in the 100 backstroke with a top time of 46.22.
The Irish then went 1-2 in the 50 freestyle, as Eckler touched first (19.62) and freshman Finn Martin followed (20.27). Martin immediately followed with a second-place finish in the 100 freestyle (44.36) in the next event, marking a special Irish debut.
The wins continued for Notre Dame, as Armour won the 200 breaststroke (1:57.28) and Eckler won the 100 butterfly. Eckler's new best time of 45.99 in the event ranks eighth in program history.
In the diving well, Knapp started his fifth year in South Bend with a pair of wins in the 1-meter (380.40) and 3-meter (350.33).
On the women's side, All-American and school record holder Carli Cronk won the 200 butterfly with a time of 1:57.27, the first Irish victory of the afternoon.
Widdows, a junior and school record holder herself, won the 100 freestyle with a time of 48.55 and was narrowly out-touched in the 50 freestyle with a time of 22.55, finishing second. Wisconsin's Hailey Tierney earned the win with a time of 22.47.
Widdows also won the 100 butterfly with a time of 52.88, which ranks eighth in program history and tops her previous best of 52.96. Freshman Averie Hager took second with a time of 53.40, giving the Irish the 1-2 showing.
Of note, while the 200 medley relay on the women's side placed second, sophomore Tess Heavner's lead-off 50 backstroke in a time of 25.18 now ranks seventh in program history. It is the first time the second-year backstroker has earned a spot on one of Notre Dame's Top 10 lists.
Up next, Notre Dame hosts Louisville on Thursday for its 2026-27 home opener. The meet will begin at 2:30 p.m. ET.