The Hillsdale College women's swimming and diving team traveled to Saginaw Valley State University to take on the nationally ranked Cardinals in a dual meet, and while the Chargers couldn't handle SVSU's depth in a 154-77 loss, Hillsdale still had several strong finishes in a competitive dual.
Senior Caroline Holmes had a strong meet for Hillsdale, winning the 200 yd freestyle in 1:58.35 for the Chargers, as well as earning a runner-up finish in the 100 backstroke in 1:00.66 and teaming with Joanna Burnham, Megan Clifford and Lucia Ruchti for a runner-up finish in the 400 medley relay (4:03.07). Holmes led a strong finish for Hillsdale in the 200 freestyle, with freshman Alyson Early also taking third for the Chargers in the event (2:00.21).
Clifford, part of that 400 medley relay, also earned an event victory and a runner-up finish for the Chargers. The junior and returning All-American won the 50 freestyle in 24.93, and took runner-up honors in the 100 butterfly (58.05), just ahead of teammate Sarah Pataniczek in third in 1:00.52.
Hillsdale also got an event victory from junior Emmalyse Dickhudt who won the 100 breaststroke in 1:07.54, ahead of Burnham, who placed third for the Chargers in 1:11.23. Burnham also placed third in the 400 individual medley in 4:50.60, and Ruchti took third in the 100 freestyle in 56.14.
Junior Elise Mason recorded multiple top three finishes for the Chargers as well, taking second in the 500 freestyle in 5:18.49 and third in the 1,000 freestyle in 10:53.39.
Hillsdale will compete again this Saturday, traveling to Grand Rapids for a tri-meet against Davenport and Aquinas at 3 p.m. on Saturday.
Photo by Scott Galvin