ANN ARBOR, Mich. — While the results weren’t what they wanted, Notre Dame freshmen showed this weekend that the future is bright for the Irish women’s swimming and diving program.
In a two-day tri-meet on Friday and Saturday at Canham Natatorium, No. 14 Michigan (3-0) topped the Irish, 279-68, and No. 15 Wisconsin (2-1) beat Notre Dame, 223-118. The Irish are now 1-2 on the year.
Once again, Notre Dame newcomers had several outstanding performances. Freshman Carli Cronk won the 400 IM on Friday with a time of 4:15.53, which ranks eighth in program history and is an NCAA B cut. The San Antonio native also took second in the 200 free (1:48.10), fourth in the 200 fly (2:00.57) and ninth in the 200 IM (2:04.49).
Fellow freshman Hollie Widdows had multiple scoring performances, including a fifth-place finish in the 100 free (50.37), a sixth-place finish in the 50 free (23.23) and a sixth-place finish in the 100 fly (54.63).
Other notable performances included a pair of fifth-place finishes for sophomore Lainey Mullins in the 200 fly (2:02.38) and 400 IM (4:23.66) plus a fifth-place finish in the 100 back from senior Jess Geriane (55.91).
Notre Dame’s best relay performances of the meet came in the freestyle relays. The Irish team of Widdows, Geriane, Madelyn Christman and Grace Brenneman finished third in the 200 free relay (1:31.62), while Widdows, Geriane, Imogen Meers and Christman took third in the 400 free relay (3:22.43). Both teams finished ahead of Wisconsin’s A relays.
Up next, Notre Dame heads to Bloomington for a Wednesday afternoon meet against No. 6 Indiana. It will be the first official meet of the season for the Hoosiers.