The Hillsdale College women's swimming and diving team faced some of the toughest competition it might see all season on Friday night, traveling to Calvin University in Grand Rapids for dual meet competition against the host Knights, ranked 24th in NCAA DIII in the most recent CSCAA poll, and Grand Valley State, ranked 18th in the CSCAA NCAA DII poll.
The Chargers fell to both squads, losing to the Lakers 191-45, and putting up a good fight against Calvin but falling 131-105.5.
Hillsdale still had several solid results as its swimmers rose to the occasion against strong competition. Senior Marie Taylor had Hillsdale's best finish of the night, taking runner-up honors in the 50 yard freestyle (24.56), and also placing fourth in the 100 freestyle (54.11). Taylor also was a part of Hillsdale's third-place 200 freestyle relay, teaming with Leah Tunney, Lily Golladay and Megan Clifford to finish in 1:39.63.
Clifford had another solid race in the 100 butterfly for the Chargers, finishing fourth in 58.26 and surpassing her pool record time at Hillsdale's home meet a week ago, while also teaming with Caroline Holmes, Emmalyse Dickhudt, and Golladay to take fourth in the 200 medley relay (1:51.86).
Sophomore Elise Mason also did well against tough distance competition, placing third in the 1,000 free (10:59.64), and taking fourth in the 500 free (5:23.55), just ahead of teammate Sarah Pataniczek in fifth place (5:31.60).
Dickhudt earned a third place finish for Hillsdale in the 100 breaststroke, finishing in 1:10.07, just ahead of teammate Hannah Douthitt in fourth (1:11.10), while Joanna Burnham took fourth in the 200 individual medley (2:13.17) as well.
Holmes earned fifth place finishes in both the 200 freestyle (2:01.36) and 100 backstroke (1:01.27) as well for the Chargers.
Hillsdale next competes on Oct. 28 in a dual meet against Albion hosted by the Britons, beginning at 6 p.m.