Womens Swimming: Irish top Kansas in Acapulco fiesta
By PAT LEONARD
Sports Writer
The Notre Dame womens swimming team capped off a week of training in Acapulco, Mexico with a 129-69 victory over Kansas on Jan. 6.
Winning eight of 10 events, the team captured its third straight victory in dual meet competition. The Irish overall record increases to 4-1-1.
Freshman Christel Bouvron, a 2000 Singapore Olympian, continued to impress with victories in the 200 freestyle (2:08.04) and the 100 butterfly (1:03.62). Junior Laurie Musgrave won the 100 breaststroke in 1:14.07.
The Irish have been receiving contributions from the entire roster so far this season, and it continued against Kansas.
Junior Lisa Garcia, who has been a top performer this season, won the 200 individual medley with a time of 2:22.24. Sophomore Kelly Barton won the 400 freestyle (4:39.12).
"When you have a deep team, it's easy to sit back and expect someone else will get the job done," said head coach Bailey Weathers. "But one thing that's great about this team is every swimmer wants to be the one to get the job done for us. Laurie and Christel gave two outstanding individual efforts [against Kansas]."
The win in Acapulco was refreshing for the Irish, who left for winter break on a positive note by defeating Big East opponent Pittsburgh at Trees Pool, 195-105, Dec. 7.
"We expected Pittsburgh to be tougher," said Weathers. "They are one of the four top teams in our conference."
At Trees Pool, Meghan Perry-Eaton won both the one-meter and three-meter diving events with scores of 260.33 and 250.80, respectively. Garcia won the 200 butterfly (2:02.93) and 100 butterfly (55.95). Bouvron took second behind teammates Sarah Alwen and Garcia in the 200 freestyle (1:53.91) and 100 butterfly (57.72), respectively. The freshman would win in the match against Kansas.
"Some of their kids had been shaved and rested since Thanksgiving to make cuts for the Big East," said Weathers. "When you give teams rest it usually gives you problems, but our girls did a good job not letting it bother them."
Against Pittsburgh, the 400 freestyle medley relay team of Sarah Alwen, Danielle Hulick, Katie Eckholt and Heidi Hendrick also took first. In addition, Alwen won the 200 freestyle (1:53.38), Hulick took the 100 backstroke (57:30), and Hendrick won the 100 freestyle (52.22) with Eckholt finishing a close second (52.49).
With three meets remaining before the Big East championships in Uniondale, N.Y., coach Weathers said the focus now shifts to a more competitive week-to-week schedule.
"This is the time of year when kids need to focus a lot on what they are doing, take care of little things in races," said Weathers.
All Sports Stories for Wednesday, January 15, 2003
