Across 20 programs, Notre Dame boasts All-Americans, national champions and a host of other elite athletes. It’s impossible to get to know them all, but here’s a quick A-to-Z of Irish athletes (and coaches) to know this year.
A is for Ahern
Madison Ahern enters her senior year for the women’s lacrosse program. She led the team in points last year with 77. Her 57 goals and 20 assists each individually ranked second on the squad. She looks to lead the Irish back to the NCAA Tournament.
B is for Bryan Dowd
If you weren’t on campus last fall, you missed the making of a Notre Dame postseason soccer legend. Goalkeeper Bryan Dowd secured six straight shutouts over the ACC and NCAA Tournaments. In a pair of penalty kick shootouts, Dowd saved five of seven shots, as the Irish made a run to the College Cup.
C is for Chloe Schiavone
Chloe Schiavone was a standout for the women’s golf team last spring as a sophomore, qualifying as an individual for the NCAA Tournament. She placed within the top 20, with her T-19th finish representing the seventh best in program history. She returns for her junior year this season.
D is for Dara and Dane
It’s a 2-for-1 deal, as we look at a pair of returning fifth-years on the hardwood. Dara Mabrey and Dane Goodwin were both instrumental in their team’s NCAA Tournament runs last year, and both Irish basketball teams harbor high hopes for the season. Both are among the best three-point threats in the conference. Enjoy the final season of these lethal shooters.
E is for Ebo
Staying on the hardwood, 6’4” transfer Lauren Ebo is another women’s basketball name to know. She’s the only true center on the Irish roster and will attempt to replace Maya Dodson. An All-Big 12 Honorable Mention in 2022, Ebo’s play is possibly the biggest deal clincher for this Irish team with legitimate Final Four hopes.
F is for Freeman
It is hard to ask for a coach to generate more hype than Marcus Freeman has. The #FreemanEra is in full swing in South Bend, and if he leads the Irish to an upset in Columbus, the buzz around this football program will reach a massive high.
G is for Gaskins
Notre Dame softball only loses a couple of players, but they are key ones, with top-of-the-order stalwarts Abby Sweet and Emma Clark departing. That puts even more pressure on the 2022 ACC Player of the Year Karina Gaskins. But lucky for Irish fans, they get at least two more years to watch one of the country’s best power hitters hit bombs at Melissa Cook Stadium.
H is for Hsieh
Notre Dame is a fencing school, and Kaylin Hsieh is one of the best in the world. After a runner-up finish her freshman season, Hsieh dominated the collegiate stage in 2022. She punctuated the year with a 23-2 performance at the NCAA national championships, helping the Irish win a second straight national championship.
I is for Isaiah Foskey
Although you may argue differently, vyper Isaiah Foskey’s future does lie on the gridiron, not in Hollywood, despite his role in Notre Dame’s Shamrock Series uniform reveal. The electrifying defensive end will be a force to watch, and Irish fans get to watch a potential first round edge rusher work his magic all season long.
J is for JJ Starling
Worried about the loss of Blake Wesley? Enter JJ Starling, the higher-ranked freshman prospect who projects as a day-one starter. He’s an adept shot creator who should help the Irish shoot for a return to the NCAA Tournament, and maybe even a deeper run than in 2022.
K is for Korbin Albert
Korbin Albert is simply one of the best athletes on Notre Dame’s campus. She tore it up as a freshman, and made the USA Women’s U-20 World Cup roster. Once she returns from her international escapades, she’ll entrench herself as a starter on an Irish women’s soccer squad eyeing a College Cup berth. Do yourself a favor and go watch Korbin and what could be a really special team this fall.
L is for Lep Legion
We will take a quick break from our athletes to point you to the official student section of the Fighting Irish. Lep Legion became more active last year, organizing watch parties and events and helping drum up huge crowds at basketball games. Be on the lookout for Lep Legion events, as it’s a great way to catch the Irish in action.
M is for Michael Mayer
Foskey’s acting partner, Michael Mayer may end this season as arguably the best tight end in Notre Dame history. Given the Irish’s prolific history in producing tight ends, that’s absurdly impressive. One more season of Baby Gronk — appreciate the greatness.
N is for Nick Leivermann
Graduate student defenseman Nick Leivermann returns to the ice for the Irish this winter. Despite NHL options, one of Notre Dame’s most impactful players will be skating for the blue and gold once more. He missed six games last season but still finished tied for second on the team with 27 points. He notched six goals and 21 assists and looks for more this year.
O is for Olivia Miles
Notre Dame women’s basketball made its return to the NCAA Tournament last year, reaching the Sweet 16. They return now-sophomore Olivia Miles who is the point guard for the foreseeable future in South Bend. She notched a pair of triple-doubles last year and averaged almost 14 points per game. She’s a passing specialist, notching over 7 assists per contest, and also scored 20+ points on six occasions. She’ll be one of the top point guards in the nation this year.
P is for Palmer Jackson
Palmer Jackson is back for his junior season, looking to lift the Irish golf squad to the NCAA Championships. Twenty eight of his 36 tournament rounds checked in at under par last season. His 71.25 stroke average is the best in Notre Dame program history, and he’ll be back on the course this year.
Q is for Quinn McMahon
Despite being co-ACC champs and ranked top-10 in several major polls, Notre Dame was not granted a NCAA Tournament spot in 2022. How ready are they to be back? Refer to Quinn McCahon on Twitter: “It’s a vengeance tour next year for @NDLacrosse. We will be back even better than before. It’s going to be a scary sight and I can’t wait to be a part of it.”
R is for Ryder Rolston
Rolston is a Chicago Blackhawks prospect and notched the most points of any returning player. He scored 10 goals and added 17 assists last season, highlighted by a hat trick in a rivalry win over Boston College. He will be a major piece in this year’s hockey squad with Frozen Four aspirations.
S is for Shoaf
Michael Shoaf returns, looking to further etch his name in the Notre Dame record books. A top-20 finisher at last year’s NCAA Championships, Shoaf holds the Irish program record in shot put and will look to improve upon his own numbers this season.
T is for Tidd
Payton Tidd returns as a fifth-year pitcher for the Irish softball squad. Alongside sophomore Shannon Becker, she forms a dynamic 1-2 punch in the pitcher’s circle. Tidd won 15 games last year with a 2.79 ERA, and she will look to boost the Irish into the Super Regional for the first time in program history.
U is for Uttley
Luke Uttley is one of the top freestyle swimmers for the Irish swim team and was a key member of two NCAA-qualifying relays. He’ll look to get back to the NCAA Tournament on both the relay squads and as an individual, in his junior season.
V is for Victoria Gevauden
Victoria Gevauden is a key member and part of the strong senior class for the Irish rowing squad. Gevauden is a linchpin of the Varsity Eight, rowing in the bow seat at every race last spring. She returns as the Irish look to jump into the upper echelon of the ACC Standings.
W is for Winkler
SMU transfer Kaylyn Winkler slots into a key role for the Irish volleyball team. Losing Charley Niego to transfer, the Irish brought in Winkler, who led the AAC with a .384 hit percentage last year. She also led the Mustangs with 114 blocks, with her 1.09 blocks per set ranking fourth in the conference.
X is for Xavier Watts
Xavier Watts has already appeared at three different positions for the Irish in his two-year career, and he might add to that total in 2022. Converted to defense after starting as a wide receiver, Watts has recently practiced with the offense. He could be a potential quick fix to the Irish’s depth issues for the receiver position. He could be an impact player on both sides of the ball this fall.
Y is for Yashna Yellayi
Yellayi returns for the Irish women’s tennis squad that fell just short of a NCAA Tournament appearance. She held down the No. 3 singles role and competed mainly at No. 2 doubles. She returns in a similarly prominent role this spring.
Z is for Zyska
After a huge breakout season as a senior, Jack Zyska returns for a fifth year. He hit .294 and led the squad in home runs (13) and slugging percentage (.694). He comes back to try and get the Irish back to Omaha for a second straight year.
Read More
Trending
