The Hillsdale College women's swim team celebrated Senior Day with a dominant win over Albion, 135-66, and two pool records in its lone home meet of the season on Saturday.
The Chargers won nine events to easily beat the Britons in a dual, led by a pool record swim from junior Megan Clifford in the 200 butterfly in 2:06.33. Clifford also swam on a champion and pool record setting 400 medley relay for Hillsdale, teaming with Caroline Holmes, Joanna Burnham and Lucia Ruchti to win in 3:59.44, and the junior was also a part of the Chargers' champion 400 freestyle relay in 3:39.64 along with Alyson Early, Isabel Ondracek and Ruchti.
Hillsdale had several other notable victories. Ondracek also won the 500 freestyle in 5:19:07 and the 200 freestyle in 1:57.88 for Hillsdale, with Holmes finishing second to Ondracek in the 200 free in 1:59.03. Holmes also won the 200 backstroke for the Chargers in 2:10.49, ahead of Hillsdale freshman Irene del Castro, who took second in 2:11.62.
Junior Elise Mason won the 1,000 freestyle for the Chargers, in 10:42.87, with Jamie Parsons taking second in the race for Hillsdale in 11:30.50, and Mason finished second in the 400 individual medley (4:49.00) behind teammate Joanna Burnham, who won in 4:43.60.
Emmalyse Dickhudt took another victory for Hillsdale in the 200 breaststroke, in 2:26.90, Ruchti placed second in the 50 freestyle (25.34), Callie Lucero took second in the 200 butterfly (2:19.24) and Alyson Early placed second in the 100 freestyle (55.91) for the Chargers.
Hillsdale celebrated its three graduating seniors -- Caroline Holmes, Phoebe Johnston and Sarah Pataniczek -- during the meet. The trio have played important roles on two G-MAC/MEC Championship squads as well as a runner-up finish in 2022-23.
The Chargers season continues this Friday with a trip to Indiana Wesleyan to take on the host Wildcats and Anderson University in a tri-meet at 6 p.m.
Photo Courtesy of Malone Athletics