The Hillsdale College women's swimming and diving team put together several strong swims to build on a solid start to the 2024 G-MAC/MEC Championships in second day action on Thursday at the C.T. Branin Natatorium im Canton, Ohio.
A strong performance in the 400 medley relay led the way for Hillsdale, as the Chargers' team of senior Caroline Holmes, junior Joanna Burnham, freshman Inez McNichols and junior Lucia Ruchti took runner-up honors in the relay in a time of 3:55.02.
In her final G-MAC/MEC Championship meet, Holmes has had a strong showing, with several impressive finishes. Along with the relay, she added another one for the Chargers in the 200 freestyle final on Thursday night, placing third in a career-best time of 1:53.82. Freshman Alyson Early took fifth as well for the Chargers in 1:54.53, while Ruchti placed seventh in 1:55.14 and freshman Isabel Ondracek took eighth in 1:55.65.
Hillsdale also placed four swimmers in the top eight in the 400 individual medley, led by Burnham, who placed third in 4:37.46. Junior Elise Mason was just behind Burnham in fourth, finishing in 4:37.57, while junior Emmalyse Dickhudt placed seventh in 4:49.16 and sophomore Rotem Andegeko placed eighth in 4:52.76. Freshman Lauren Kamp also took 11th for the Chargers in 4:51.22.
In the 100 butterfly finals, junior Megan Clifford placed fourth with a time of 56.93 to lead the Chargers in the event, while McNichols also took 10th, senior Sarah Pataniczek placed 11th, and freshman Callie Lucero placed 16th.
Through two days of competition, Hillsdale sits in second place with 747.5 points, behind leader Findlay's 993 points but comfortably ahead of third-place Frostburg State's 446 points. The Chargers now look ahead to Friday and some of Hillsdale's strongest events, including the 500 freestyle, 100 backstroke, 100 breaststoke and 200 butterfly, as well as the 800 freestyle relay.
Photo by Andy Smith, Malone Athletics