For the Hillsdale College women's track and field team, the 2019-20 season was one that had already delivered on its promise when the Covid-19 pandemic ended it at the halfway mark.
And though the Charger women's track class of 2020 can only wonder what might have been if it had gotten a chance to compete in the spring outdoor season, it can look back on the season up to that point, and their entire careers, and find plenty of fond memories and great accomplishments.
Today, on the day that would have been the second day of the 54th annual GINA relays, as well as their senior day, Hillsdale College pays tribute to seven women's track and field graduating seniors who've helped make the program great over the last four years.
Together, Kathryn Bassette (Hartland, VT/Woodstock Union), Danielle Jones (Mason, MI/Mason), Arena Lewis (Belen, NM/Belen), Carlin MacDonald-Gannon (Windsor, Ont./Holy Names Catholic), Abbie Porter (Byron Center, MI/South Christian), Addison Rauch (Sandia Park, NM/East Mountain) and Kate Vanderstelt (Las Vegas, NV/Palo Verde) combined to place 41 times in conference meets, win five individual conference championships, and qualify for the NCAA Division II national meet five times.
The members of the Class of 2020 were also important parts of two G-MAC Indoor track team titles (2018 and 2020), one outdoor track and field title (2018) and two G-MAC cross country championships (2017 and 2019).
Here's a closer look at the achievements of the Class of 2020:
One of the Chargers' top pole vaulters throughout her career, Bassette finished her career with a personal best 3.69m (12' 1 ¼") clearance, and placed in six different conference meets for the Chargers, with a runner-up finish at the 2018 G-MAC indoor meet.
As a reliable scorer in a specialized event, Bassette played an important role on Hillsdale's 2018 G-MAC Indoor and Outdoor championship teams, and also served as team captain her senior year.
"Kathryn was just a perfect fit for a place like Hillsdale, someone who was full of energy and ideas and always willing to work to get better," Hillsdale head coach Andrew Towne said. "She really developed over the course of her career into someone who made a big difference for us in the end of season meets."
Bassette is graduating this spring with a degree in Spanish, and plans to teach first grade at True North Classical Academy in Miami, FL in the fall.
One of several dual-sport athletes on the women's track team, Jones also played volleyball for the Chargers for four years, and on the track was a standout for the Chargers in the jumps.
A six-time conference placer in the long jump and triple jump, Jones' highest finish at a conference championship meet was a fourth-place effort in the triple jump at the 2018 G-MAC outdoor meet.
She finished her career with personal best marks of 5.20m (17' ¾") in the long jump and 10.73m (35' 8 ¾") in the triple jump.
"Dani is just a first-rate kid with a first-rate attitude," Towne said. "Being a multi-sport athlete in college is tricky, because it's so demanding and it's tough to not leave one sport feeling like you're shortchanging them, but Dani is the type of person who was able to make it work and excel in both sports."
Jones is graduating with a degree in Mathematics, as well as minors in Chemistry and Classical Education, and will be teaching middle and high school classes at Seven Oaks Classical School in Indiana this fall.
One of Hillsdale's most decorated athletes over the last four years, Lewis is one of a select few Charger graduates who can say they were named an All-American during their time in the Blue and White.
Lewis ran at three national meets for the Chargers in cross country, and her 37th place finish in the 2018 Division II nationals earned her that coveted All-America distinction.
The senior was just as good on the track, placing in nine times in conference meets, including three runner-up finishes, in the 10,000 meter run at the 2018 and 2019 G-MAC Outdoor Championships, and in the 3,000 meter run at the 2020 G-MAC Indoor Championships.
She finished her career with personal bests of 9:57.52 in the 3,000 run, 16:44.82 in the 5,000 run, and 36:58.71 in the 10,000 run, overcoming injuries to leave a legacy at Hillsdale College.
"When you look at what Arena accomplished despite the time and training she lost due to injuries, it shows what a special and dedicated athlete she is," Towne said. "On top of everything she did as an athlete, she was also a great leader for our program and just a great person to have as a part of the team."
Lewis is graduating with a degree in biochemistry this spring.
Another dual-sport athlete who also competes in softball for the Chargers, MacDonald-Gannon spent just one indoor season with the women's track and field program, but impressed in her time on the track.
MacDonald-Gannon posted personal bests of 5.19m (17' ¼") in the long jump and 10.75m (35' 3 ¼") in the triple jump, just missing on placing at her only G-MAC indoor championship appearance with a ninth-place finish in the triple jump.
"We didn't get to work with Carlin for very long, and I wish we had more time with her on the team, because she was great to have as a part of our squad," Towne said. "She really developed quickly as an athlete, and she just had the kind of attitude and personality that brings a lot to your squad, and that you want around your team."
MacDonald-Gannon is graduating with a degree in Biochemistry this spring, and plans to attend medical school in the fall.
Primarily a 400 meter runner coming out of high school, Porter developed into one of the best 800 meter runners in the Midwest during her four-year career at Hillsdale.
Porter won five individual conference championships, including 800 meter run titles in the 2018 G-MAC Indoor Championships and 2018 and 2019 G-MAC Outdoor Championships, and placed 11 times at conference meets.
She earned four national meet qualifying berths, finishing as high as 16th in the nation in Division II in the 800 run in both the 2019 indoor and outdoor track seasons.
Porter finishes her Hillsdale career with personal best times of 26.17 in the 200 dash, 56.82 in the 400 dash, and 2:10.00 in the 800 run, and served as a captain on the 2020 team.
"Abbie was someone who really figured it out over the course of her career, and learned to trust in her own talent and potential," Towne said. "When she got here, I don't think she believed she could be as fast as she ended up being, but as she gained confidence she showed what a phenomenal athlete she really is."
Porter is graduating this spring with a degree in exercise science, and will be pursuing a master's degree in physical therapy at Incarnate Word University, where she also will use her remaining eligibility to continue competing in track and field.
An important point-getter in the distance events for Hillsdale in both cross country and track and field, Rauch competed in three national meets for the Charger women's cross country team and was a part of two conference titles.
On the track, Rauch was a four-time conference placer, helping the Chargers win a 2018 G-MAC Indoor title with a career best fifth place finish in the open 5,000 meter run, and also was a part of a fourth-place distance medley relay team that helped clinch the 2020 G-MAC Indoor title for Hillsdale as well.
For her career, Rauch finished with personal bests of 10:24.31 in the 3,000 run and 18:06.07 in the 5,000 run.
"Addison has done a lot for our program, and played a role in a lot of different championships and team successes over the years," Towne said. "She's just been a solid contributor in a variety of different events, and always willing to do whatever's best for the team and whatever can help us win."
Rauch graduates this spring with a degree in biology.
A team captain as a senior and an important leader for the Charger women's track and field team, Vanderstelt has been a part of Hillsdale titles in both cross country and track.
She competed in two Division II national meets for the Chargers in cross country, and was a part of the 2019 G-MAC title team in that sport, while placing three times in conference meets on the track.
Vanderstelt finished fourth, her best championship meet finish, in the 3,000 meter steeplechase at the 2019 G-MAC Outdoor Championships for the Chargers, and also ran on a fifth-place distance medley relay squad for Hillsdale at the 2019 G-MAC Indoor Championships.
She finishes her career with personal bests of 2:30.19 in the 800 run, 4:55.78 in the 1,500 run, and 11:40.65 in the 3,000 steeplechase.
"Throughout her career, Kate was someone you could count on to find ways to score and be a leader the team needed at big meets," Towne said. "She's worked hard and been an important part of this team throughout her career, and she sets a great example for the younger runners in our program to follow."
Vanderstelt is graduating with a degree in English and a minor in chemistry this spring, and is hoping to pursue a career with the Federal Bureau of Investigation in the future.
All seven seniors have played an important part in continuing a great run of success for the Hillsdale College women's track program over their time here.
We are proud of this group for everything they've achieved during their time here, and we're grateful for the positive impact they've made on the track and field program and Hillsdale College as a whole. Hillsdale College wishes them the best of luck in what is sure to be a bright future for all of them.
Thank you, seniors, and charge on!