Big East Championships: Day One

INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana, February 18. NOTRE Dame’s women jumped out to an early lead with 80 points coming from two first-place relay finishes in the first day of action at the 2009 BIG EAST Swimming and Diving Championships at the IU Natatorium Indianapolis, Ind. The Irish split the relay wins with Louisville on the men’s side. Notre Dame, however, had four divers finish in the top five to take the overall lead with 128 points.

The championships got off to a fast start with four new meet records already being set. Behind the Irish women in second place is Louisville with 68 points. Pittsburgh trails the Irish in second place with 103 points.

Notre Dame’s women started the night’s first race with a dominant, record-breaking performance in the 800-free relay, winning in 7:13.51. The Fighting Irish were over 3.5 seconds faster in the race over their nearest competitor, Louisville, which finished second in 7:17.13. Making up the Notre Dame relay squad were junior Megan Farrell, freshman Amy Prestinario, sophomore Lauren Sylvester and senior Christa Riggins.

The Fighting Irish continued their success in the men’s 800-free relay, winning the second final of the night in a meet-record 6:27.19. Louisville’s men mirrored its women’s squad, finishing second in 6:30.69. Notre Dame and Louisville were the frontrunners the majority of the race, as Pittsburgh’s third-place time was 6:35.35. Junior John Lytle, senior Danny Lutkus, sophomore Steven Brus and junior Mackenzie Leblanc gave the winning effort.

In a race almost too close to call, Notre Dame’s women emerged as the victors again in the 200-medley relay with a meet-record finishing time of 1:39.61, Louisville was right on the Irish’s tracks with a 1:39.64 second-place finish. Freshman Colleen Fotsch and sophomore’s Samantha Maxwell, Kellyn Kuhlke and Amywren Miller made up the winning team.

Another meet record was broken in the night’s final race as Louisville’s men won the 200-medley relay in 1:25.85. The Cardinals never trailed the entire race. Cincinnati was the runner-up, finishing in 1:28.91. Louisville’s winning relay time was comprised of junior Carlos Van Isschot and senior’s Vali Preda, Adam Madarassy and Alex Sweet.

Pittsburgh senior Alex Volovetski won the men’s 1-meter diving finals with a score of 373.15. Volovetski was challenged by Notre Dame senior Michael Bulfin with a 367.60 showing. The Irish were loaded at the top of the results, taking spots two through five of the 1-meter.

Championship action resumes at 10 a.m. Eastern with the women’s 500-free preliminaries. All of the Swimming and Diving events can be seen live by signing up at www.bigeast.tv.

Special thanks to the Big East for contributing this report.

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