SOUTH BEND, Ind. — After sweeping the Panthers and Nittany Lions in the Steel City last year, Notre Dame welcomes Pittsburgh and Penn State to the Rolfs Aquatics Center for a Friday and Saturday tri-meet.
Men’s Preview —
No. 17 Notre Dame (2-0) is coming off of back-to-back wins over two Big Ten teams, Wisconsin and Purdue. Sophomore Tommy Janton has won all eight events in which he has participated this year, and he currently boasts the nation’s 10th-fastest 100 back time (46.74) and sixth-fastest 200 back time (1:43.26).
U.S. National Team member Chris Guiliano was a quadruple winner against the Boilermakers last Friday. His 50 free time against Purdue of 19.64 is the fifth-fastest in the country this season, and his 100 time of 42.86 ranks fourth.
This will be Penn State’s fourth meet of the season, as the Nittany Lions have already downed St. Bonaventure, Navy and West Virginia to move to 3-0. Penn State won eight individual events against the Mountaineers, with team record holder Victor Baganha taking the 50 and 100 freestyle.
In addition to the sprint free wins, the Nittany Lions swept the 100s; Cooper Morley won the 100 back, Ben Doyle won the 100 breast, and Matthew Bittner won the 100 fly.
Pittsburgh is coming off of losses to both Stanford and Cal, but the Panthers had multiple impressive individual performances against two of the nation’s best programs. Fifth-year Jerry Chen is the reigning ACC Swimmer of the Week after dominant performances against the Cardinal and Golden Bears. He won four events, twice winning both the 100 and 200 breaststroke. In total, the Pittsburgh men have posted six top-20 times nationally this season.
On the springboard, diver Dylan Reed won both the 1-meter and the 3-meter against Cal. Reed won both events against the Irish last year as well.
Women’s Preview —
The Irish women are coming off a close loss at the hands of Purdue last week, and the group is seeking its first win of the year this weekend.
Notre Dame won both relays (200 medley and 400 free) against the Boilermakers and won four individual events. Madelyn Christman has been a highlight for the Irish to date. She won the 100 free against Purdue and the 200 back against Wisconsin.
Like the Penn State men, the women are also 3-0 with wins over St. Bonaventure, Navy and West Virginia. Last weekend against the Mountaineers, the Nittany Lions won eight swimming events. The Meisner sisters, Julia and Catherine, were responsible for three of those. Julia won the 200 free and 400 IM, and Catherine took gold in the 500 free.
Diver Abigail Ekstrom swept both springboard events. She has been a consistent top-three presence for the Nittany Lions through three competitions.
Pitt fell to Stanford and Cal last weekend as well. Claire Jansen is one of Pitt’s top contributors, and she took second in the 100 back and third in the 200 back against the Golden Bears. The sophomore from outside of Chicago was an NCAA qualifier in both of those events last year. Freshman breastroker Jessica Strong is also one to watch, as the rookie won the 100 breaststroke against Stanford last weekend.
Friday’s meet begins at 3 p.m., while Saturday’s session will start at 10 a.m.