Feb. 19, 2000
Long Island, N.Y. – The University of Notre Dame women’s swimming and diving team won its fourth consecutive conference title by running away from the rest of the field at the 2000 BIG EAST Swimming and Diving Championships in Long Island, N.Y. The Irish, who won five events on the day, finished the meet with 829.50 points, its highest point total since joining the BIG EAST Conference in 1996. Rutgers placed second with 437 points, followed by Miami (436), Villanova (401) and West Virginia (392).
Junior Carrie Nixon finished her spectacular meet by winning the 100 freestyle in a school and BIG EAST record time of 49.18. In all, Nixon claimed seven titles at the meet, three individual and four relay titles, in earning 2000 BIG EAST Swimmer of the Year honors. Nixon set five BIG EAST and Notre Dame records at the meet and recorded three automatic qualifying times for the 2000 NCAA Swimming and Diving Championships March 16-18 in Indianapolis. Nixon has now won 12 BIG EAST titles in her career and holds seven Notre Dame and six BIG EAST swimming records.
Sophomore Kelly Hecking and senior Shannon Suddarth won their second individual titles for the Irish today. Hecking claimed the 200 backstroke in a time of 2:00.45, adding the title to her 100 backstroke win yesterday. Suddarth, winner of the 100 breaststroke yesterday, took home the 200 breaststroke crown in 2:14.57.
Hecking also added her fourth relay title of the meet when she swam the second leg of the 400 freestyle relay. Hecking teamed with junior Brenda Reilly, sophomore Brooke Davey and senior Laura Shepard finishing in a time of 3:25.74. Hecking claimed six BIG EAST titles at the 2000 meet.
Senior Alison Newell was the other individual event winner for the Irish as she claimed the 200 butterfly title in a time of 2:00.71. Notre Dame completely dominated the meet as it won 14 of 20 events, setting five BIG EAST records in the process.
Final Standings 1. Notre Dame 829.5 points 2. Rutgers 437 3. Miami 436 4. Villanova 401 5. West Virginia 392 6. Pittsburgh 380 7. Connecticut 245.5 8. Boston College 229 9. Syracuse 200 10. Georgetown 76 11. St. John?s 75 12. Seton Hall 70 13. Providence 44
1650 Yard Freestyle 1. Kate Volz (Villanova), 16:40.51, 2. Amy Lindblom (Miami), 16:44.00, 3. Kristen Van Saun (Notre Dame), 16:53.35. Other Notre Dame Times: 8. Nicole Kohrt 17:03.43, 21. Tara Riggs 17:32.92
200 Yard Backstroke 1. Kelly Hecking (Notre Dame), 2:00.45, 2, Beth Grube (Pittsburgh), 2:02.86, 3. Julie Lapinsky (Villanova), 2:03.37. Other Notre Dame Times: 5. Tiffany O’Brien 2:05.15, 9. Lindsay Moorhead 2:05.97
100 Yard Freestyle 1. Carrie Nixon (Notre Dame), 49.18*, 2. Jennifer Weir (Miami), 51.10, 3. Kristen Olson (Villanova), 51.19. Other Notre Dame Times: 10. Laura Shepard 51.90, 12. Brooke Davey 52.21, 13. Brenda Reilly 52.44
200 Yard Breaststroke 1. Shannon Suddarth (Notre Dame), 2:14.57, 2. Allison Lloyd (Notre Dame), 2:16.90, 3. Katie Larson (Connecticut), 2:17.66. Other Notre Dame Times: 9. Kathleen Rimkus 2:21.87
200 Yard Butterfly 1. Alison Newell (Notre Dame), 2:00.71, 2. Elizabeth Barger (Notre Dame), 2:01.81, 3. Elaine Schwartz (Miami), 2:02.77. Other Notre Dame Times: 10. Amy Deger 2:06.60, 14. Nicole Kohrt 2:09.16
400 Yard Freestyle Relay 1. Notre Dame, 3:25.74 (Reilly, Hecking, Davey, Shepard), 2. Villanova, 3:26.69 (Olson, Brock, Lapinsky, Long), 3. Rutgers, 3:27.16 (Morse, Wick, McIntyre, Quetel)