As of Friday, the Hillsdale College women's swimming and diving team is officially undefeated for the 2021-2022 dual meet season. They scored a 125 – 109 victory over Davenport University and a 127 – 104 victory over the 24th ranked team in NCAA Division III, Calvin, after spotting each team 32 points due to diving. The Chargers have one more invite meet next weekend at Butler University before their conference championships in February.
Junior Marie Taylor had some close finishes, but was able to win each of her three events. Taylor just out touched her Calvin competition by .02 in the 50 freestyle (24.94). In the 100 freestyle, Taylor finished first (53.65), just ahead of second place teammate Cecilia Guadalupi (54.34). In the 200 freestyle relay, Taylor swam the fourth leg and finished .04 ahead of Calvin College (1:39.54).
Junior Leah Tunney also finished the meet undefeated. Tunney had a close race in the 500 freestyle but stayed in the lead by a second and a half (5:12.57). In the 200 freestyle, Tunney had another close race but out touched second place Calvin College by .13 (1:55.79). Tunney was also part of the winning 200 freestyle relay that won by .04 ahead of Calvin (1:39.54).
Sophomore Caroline Holmes had a photo finish in the 100 backstroke for first place by .06 (1:00.34). Holmes finished fourth in the 50 freestyle (25.56).
Freshman Megan Clifford was the only swimmer to go under a minute in the 100 butterfly (59.03). Clifford also finished third in the 200 freestyle (1:58.86).
In the 1000 freestyle, freshman Elise Mason finished second (10:56.82), and junior Anika Fassett was fifth (11:39.74).
In the 200 IM, freshman Joanna Burnham finished second (2:14.04), and freshman Emma Dickhudt was fourth (2:17.25).
In the 100 butterfly, sophomore Sarah Pataniczek finished third (1:01.17). Senior Stefanie Walker finished sixth (1:02.36). Pataniczek also scored points in the 200 freestyle and finished fifth (2:00.27).
In the 500 freestyle, junior Sarah Clark finished fourth (5:26.43), and sophomore Amy Mills finished fifth (5:30.33).
In the 100 breaststroke, Dickhudt finished fourth (1:10.33), and Burnham was fifth (1:10.78).
The 200 freestyle A-relay of Guadalupi, Slepian, Tunney, and Taylor finished first by .04 (1:39.54). The 200 medley A-relay of Holmes, Dickhudt, Clifford, and Guadalupi finished third (1:51.04).
Hillsdale finishes 2021-22 11-0 in duals, their second straight season of winning every dual meet entered after going 4-0 in the 2020-21 campaign. The Chargers will enter the 2022-23 season with a program-record winning streak of 15 straight dual victories, but first will look to close out the 2021-22 season in style with strong performances at the G-MAC/MEC Championships, and, hopefully, the NCAA Division II National Championships as well.
Written by Zoe Tracey
Photo by Anthony Lupi