In their final dual meet of the season Saturday, Notre Dame looked primed for the upcoming Big East championships, defeating Toledo, 176-123.
The No. 19 Irish (4-4) won 12 of the 16 events against the Rockets at the University of Toledo Student Recreation Pool.
"It definitely gives us much-needed momentum going into this two-week break [prior to the Big East championships]," sophomore swimmer Emma Reaney said. "Toledo's gotten a lot better as a program, and this win also gives us a lot of confidence going forward."
Reaney was one of three Irish swimmers to record multiple event wins at the dual meet. She earned victories in the 200-yard freestyle and breaststroke events as she added more achievements to an impressive season that has included multiple Big East swimmer of the week honors.
The other two Irish swimmers to match Reaney on Saturday were senior Jaime Malandra and junior Kelly Ryan. Malandra, the Irish's top distance swimmer, won both the 500-yard and 1,000-yard freestyle events. She finished the 500-yard freestyle a scant .75 seconds ahead of sophomore teammate Bridget Casey.
"It was Jaime's last dual meet, and it was also special as her first double win," Reaney said. "Her distance events have been coming along really well, and I'm excited to see her swim at the Big East championships."
Meanwhile, Ryan earned victories in the 50-yard freestyle and 200-yard backstroke. On the diving side of the team, the Irish swept both events as sophomore Allison Casareto took the 1-meter diving title while freshman Lindsey Streepey won the 3-meter event.
After swimming in meets four of the past five weekends, the Irish look forward to a brief rest period in order to reach peak performance times for the upcoming Big East championships, according to Reaney.
"We'll start resting this week in preparation," Reaney said. "We won't be doing as much yardage in the pool, lift less and will have less intense practices."
The Big East Swimming and Diving Championships run from February 27 to March 2 in Indianapolis as the Irish will look to qualify swimmers for the NCAA championships.
Contact Matt Unger at munger3@nd.edu
