On the heels of a pair of impressive dual meet wins last week, the Notre Dame women's swimming team jumped up one position to No. 15 in the latest Speedo America Top 25 poll released Feb. 1.

The No. 15 ranking is the highest Irish have ever risen in the national poll in the history of the swimming program.

"I think it just shows that our hard work has really paid off this season, especially the last two dual meets," said senior Kristen Van San

Notre Dame finished its dual meet season with a 10-1 record. The Irish wrapped up their dual meet competition last Friday with a 157-143 win over Michigan, less than 24 hours after holding off Northwestern 154-146. Their lone loss of the season came on Nov. 4, when Notre Dame fell 161-138 to Purdue.

Michigan dropped two places to No. 16, while Northwestern jumped up five spots to No. 18.

"I think people thought we'd not be as good this year without Carrie Nixon, but we pulled together," Van Saun said. "A lot of that credit goes to our freshmen, they've really matured and stepped it up a lot for us this year."

Junior Kelly Hecking, freshman Marie Labosky, and junior Heather Mattignly have been instrumental in Notre Dame's success this season

The Irish have two more weeks of practice before the Big East Conference Championships begin on Feb. 15 in Long Island, NY. Notre Dame will be swimming for their fifth straight conference title since joining the Big East conference six years ago.

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