Undefeated women take on 8th-ranked Wolverines
By MIKE CONNOLLY
Associate Sports Editor
The 23rd-ranked Notre Dame women's swimming and diving team puts its undefeated record on the line against No. 8 Michigan this weekend.
The Irish are confident that they can defeat the Wolverines for the first time.
"I think we are pretty optimistic about it coming off of our wins over Northwestern and Illinois," junior freestyler Carrie Nixon said. "I think we have a real shot at beating them for the first time."
Last weekend the Irish picked up two of their most impressive wins of the year. First they shocked the then-No. 11 Wildcats with a 158-141 victory. Then on Sunday, they won 14 of 16 events against the Illini to win 183.5-116.5.
Those two wins have given the Irish more respect in the eyes of the Wolverines, according to Nixon.
"I think they will be ready for us," she said. "Northwestern kind of underestimated how good we were. It kind of hit them by surprise in the middle of the meet when they realized they were losing. But I think Michigan is going to be ready."
The Wolverines face the Wildcats on Friday before traveling to Rolfs Aquatic Center for their date with the Irish on Saturday. The Wolverines are currently 7-3 overall.
The Wolverines lead the all-time series 4-0 and defeated the Irish, 162-136, last year. A win over Michigan would give Notre Dame an undefeated record heading into the Big East Championships.
"It doesn't affect standings or anything, but morally, it is kind of nice to go in undefeated into any tournament," Nixon said.
But the Irish are not taking the Wolverines lightly.
"This will be by far our hardest tournament this year," she continued.
With two weeks off between this meet and the Big East Championships, the Irish want to end the regular season on a high note. A win would help their confidence heading into their taper, a reduced training period designed help swimmers save energy before big meets.
"It boosts us into taper," Nixon said. "Now is the time we get more sleek and more rest. Just to have another win under our belt would be great."
The Irish and the Wolverines hit the pool Saturday at 6 p.m. in the Rolfs Aquatic Center. A special ceremony will be held for the seniors swimming in their last home meet.
All Sports Stories for Friday, January 28, 2000
