ND Womens Swimming: Irish aim for repeat performance against Pitt
By PAT LEONARD
Sports Writer
Boasting senior leadership and quality individual efforts, the Notre Dame womens swimming and diving looks to build on its 3-1-1 start Saturday against Pittsburgh.
Last year, the Irish defeated the Panthers in the season's opening meet 223-27 by winning 14 of 16 events.
Graduated seniors Carrie Nixon and Kelly Hecking led the team, taking four and three races, respectively. Still, it was the performance of underclassmen that caught not just Pittsburgh attention, but all opponents' eyes from that first meet onward.
Then-freshman Brooke Taylor won the 1,000-yard freestyle, then-sophomore Lisa Garcia won the 200 freestyle and then-junior Amy Deger won the 200 butterfly. Other team members won events impressively in a dominant performance.
Fast forward about one year.
In the womens' previous competition at the Minnesota Invitational two weeks ago, the Irish finished fourth with 500.50 points behind host Minnesota (696), Missouri (676) and Wisconsin (652). Junior Lisa Garcia was the only member of the Irish team to win an event, capturing first place in the 200 butterfly with a time of 2 minutes, 1.53 seconds. Senior Katie Cavadini said Garcia has been one of the team's most reliable and consistent swimmers so far this season.
Tri-captains Cavadini, Amy Deger and Heidi Hendrick lead a squad with key contributors coming from every class and every team member, like Taylor, sophomore Kelli Barton and others.
Cavadini brings excellence in the distance freestyle races, Deger swims the butterfly and individual medley and Hendrick is the fastest the Irish have in the 100 and 200 freestyle. These three seniors, along with other experienced swimmers on the team, are leading the team this season.
"Upperclassman leadership in Danielle [Hulik] and Laurie [Musgrave] and others really helps with our success," said Cadavini.
The womens swimming and diving team remembers the result of last year's meeting with Pittsburgh. The Irish are concentrating on not losing focus.
"Pitt has a new coach, and I know they have been swimming better than they did last year, but we should still win," Cavadini said.
The meet is scheduled for 2 p.m. at Rolfs Aquatic Center.
All Sports Stories for Friday, December 6, 2002
