Feb. 28, 1998

Notre Dame Swim Program Has Four More Swimmers Establish Consideration Times

NOTRE DAME, Ind. -- The Notre Dame swim team had four more members achieve NCAA 'B' qualifying times this weekend at the Shamrock Classic.

On the women's side, freshman Carrie Nixon swam a consideration time of 23.10 in the 50 freestyle. Her time bested her record time of 23.34 set last weekend at BIG EAST Championships, and is also a new poool record. Sophmore Shannon Suddarth, who has already qualified in the 100 and 200 breaststroke, recorded a 4:23.37 in the 400 individual medley to qualify in this event. In the 100 butterfly, Elizabeth Barger' time of 55.52 was good enough for a NCAA 'B' qualifying time, and also a new school and pool record.

The men's swim program made history today when senior Ray Fitzpatrick swam a 1:39.20 in the 200 freestyle to establish a NCAA consideration time. If Fitzpatrick is invited to compete in the NCAA Championships, he will be the first member of the men's team in the history of the program to compete in the NCAA championships.

The Shamrock Classic is a non-scored meet in which individuals try to qualify for the NCAA's as well as achieve their best times for the year.

The NCAA women's championship this year will be held in Minneapolis, Minn. March 19-21,1998, while the men's championship will be in Auburn, Ala. March 26-28,1998.