Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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40 JANUARY 2026 BLUE & GOLD ILLUSTRATED BY TODD D. BURLAGE N otre Dame sophomore Shane Eckler was a three-time Pennsylvania high school state champion and a five-time NISCA All-American at Ridley High School near Philadelphia, so it's shock- ing his college recruitment didn't heat up until 2023, shortly before his senior year. In fact, when the Irish swimming and diving coaches organized an on-campus recruiting weekend for prospective high school targets, Eckler said he was the only prep senior among a large group of junior visitors. "I was definitely a late bloomer," Eck- ler explained. Late bloomer or not, the gifted free- styler earned a scholarship offer during his visit. And he knew almost imme- diately that Notre Dame provided the combination of academics and athlet- ics he was looking for, but only after he completed one final task before making his decision official. "My dad told me that before I offi- cially committed, I had to first watch the classic movie, 'Rudy,'" Eckler said with a laugh. "It was my first time watching it, great movie. I called the Notre Dame coaches, committed and the rest is history." And now in his second year on cam- pus, Eckler has become one of the best freestyle swimmers in program history, and in the Atlantic Coast Conference. Eckler has already posted the second- best time ever for a Notre Dame swim- mer in the 200 free (1:33.01), and the third-best times in the 50 free (19.21) and the 100 free (42.39). And for his effort, Eckler was named the ACC Swimmer of the Week Nov. 25, after winning seven events — three in- dividual and four relays — at the Mi- ami Fall Invitational the weekend of Nov. 20-22 in Oxford, Ohio. "It's a very cool award to receive, I'm very grateful for it," said Eckler, who set a meet record at the event with a 1:33.01 in the 200 freestyle. "It's not ACC Swimmer of the Year, so there are still many improvement steps to take and bigger things to accomplish. But I feel like being recognized is positive re- inforcement to keep pushing and striv- ing for bigger things." While most competitive swimmers measure their success and improvement on race times and podium finishes, Eck- ler takes a more personal and cerebral approach to his short- and long-term development. "I'm really big on having process goals," Eckler explained. "In other words, holding myself accountable on stuff like going to bed early when we have morning practice the next day. And taking things practice by practice, and trying to do all the little things instead of getting caught up on the whole fin- ished product and the final outcome." Outside of the water, Eckler is study- ing finance at the prestigious Mendoza College of Business with a sustainability minor. And while Eckler admits that his juggling act to excel both at the school and in the pool can be difficult, the three-time USA Swimming Scholastic High School All-American is up to the challenge, in no small part because of his surroundings. "Notre Dame has helped me grow so much as a person, even outside of per- forming in the classroom, performing in the pool," he said. "It has really given me the opportunity to grow into myself. No matter what I end up doing for the rest of my life, for the rest of my career, the time I spent here has been so impactful in leading me to where I am in all as- pects of life." ✦ Irish Swimmer Shane Eckler Leaving The 'Late Bloomer' Tag In His Wake N O T R E D A M E S P O R T S Eckler was named the ACC Swimmer of the Week Nov. 25, after winning seven events — three individual and four relays — at the Miami Fall Invitational. PHOTO COURTESY NOTRE DAME ATHLETICS Irish Roundup HOCKEY (4-11-1 OVERALL, 0-8-0 BIG TEN) Notched a 5-4 victory at Merrimack Nov. 26, but fell 5-3 at Boston College Nov. 28 … Was swept by Wisconsin in decisive fashion Dec. 5-6 at Compton Family Ice Arena in South Bend, losing 7-4 and 9-2 … Off until traveling to face Western Michigan Jan. 2-3. SWIMMING & DIVING (MEN AND WOMEN: 1-3 OVERALL, 0-1 ACC) Both squads return to action Jan. 3, with the women competing at Miami and the men facing Minnesota and Tampa at Tampa, Fla. VOLLEYBALL (12-16 OVERALL, 9-11 ACC) Finished the season with a pair of wins in South Bend, topping Virginia 3-1 Nov. 26 and Wake Forest 3-1 Nov. 29.