Irish capture yet another Big East Championship
By NOREEN GILLESPIE
Sports Writer
The top spot on the winner's podium at the Goodwill Games Aquatic Center in Uniondale, N.Y., is getting to be a familiar one for the Notre Dame women's swimming and diving team, especially after its fourth consecutive Big East Swimming and Diving Championships victory.
But it never gets old.
In fact, the women always seem to find a way to put a new spin on an old feeling, racking up more impressive tallies with each consecutive victory. Winning the championship by more than 400 points over its closest competitor, notching five Big East and Notre Dame records, and adding an 18th place finish in the the NCAA Division I Swimming and Diving Championship, the 1999-2000 team put together what was most likely one of the most impressive campaigns by any swimming squad in recent history.
It was also the best showing of any Notre Dame swim team during head coach Bailey Weathers tenure, he said after winning his fourth title.
"This has probably been the best team in terms of focus that I've seen," Weathers said. "When you work hard, you get rewards, and that's something really special to see."
The senior class, comprised of Shannon Suddarth, Elizabeth Barger, Alison Newell, Rhiana Saunders, Gina Ketlehohn and Laura Shepard, were forceful contributors to that showing, with the six graduating as the highest-scoring class in Notre Dame swimming history.
"The key ingredient was the senior class," Weathers said, who formed the group as his first recruiting class. "They wanted to win the first year, and they've been set on winning ever since."
Success was not limited to the seniors. Junior sprinter Carrie Nixon continued to add impressive marks to her Notre Dame career, capturing three individual wins, four relay wins, five Big East and Notre Dame records and 2000 Big East Swimmer of the Year honors at the Big East Championships, and All-America honors in the 50-meter freestyle at the NCAA Championships.
Nixon was one of six swimmers who led the squad to an 18th place finish at NCAAs, the highest of any Notre Dame swimming squad.
"Our finish at NCAAs was the most critical thing this team has accomplished," Weathers said. "We entered the meet wanting to be in the top 20 and have all the girls score in the meet, and we did that. It's a big step for this team."
Suddarth closed her career capturing her eighth All-America honorable mention in four years. The 400 medley relay of Barger, Suddarth, Nixon and sophomore Kelly Hecking also earned All-America status, winning ninth place at the NCAA Championships. Sophomore diver Heather Mattingly notched All-America honors, placing 15th in the three-meter and one-meter diving competitions.
With such a solid base, looking to the future is encouraging. But at the conclusion of such a noteworthy season, it can be hard to do anything else but celebrate.
"This is definitely overwhelming," said Barger. "It's hard to sit down at all when you're just thinking about celebrating."
All Sports Stories for Friday, May 19, 2000
