The Hillsdale College women's swimming team continued its dominance of the distance freestyle events at the 2024 G-MAC/MEC Championships on Friday at C.T. Branin Natatorium in Canton, Ohio.
Junior Elise Mason won her second G-MAC/MEC title -- and eighth in three seasons -- with a wire-to-wire victory in the 500 yard freestyle in 5:02.96. Her closest competition came from her own teammate, freshman Isabel Ondracek, who was close behind in a season-best time of 5:04.32 to finish runner-up. The title is Mason's third-straight conference crown in the 500 freestyle, joining a three-peat in the 1,000 freestyle she achieved on Wednesday night. She'll look to add another three-peat title on Saturday as she seeks to defend her crown in the 1,650 freestyle as well.
The Chargers' Alyson Early took ninth in the 500 freestyle as well and sophomore Jamie Parsons finished 15th for Hillsdale in the event.
Both Mason and Early also were part of a runner-up relay for the Chargers on the night, as the pair joined senior Caroline Holmes and junior Megan Clifford in taking runner-up honors in the 800 freestyle relay (7:39.34) as well behind champion Findlay.
Clifford picked up runner-up honors in the 200 butterfly as well for the Chargers with a strong performance, taking second in 2:03.65. The junior was one of four Chargers to place in the top eight in the event, as freshman Callie Lucero took fifth in 2:11.96, freshman Inez McNicholz placed sixth in 2:14.18, and freshman Olivia Leathers took seventh in 2:15.69.
Hillsdale also had a strong 2-3-4 finish in the 100 breaststroke as well, led by junior Joanna Burnham, who earned runner-up honors in 1:04.90, the second-fastest time in the event in Chargers history. Freshman Lauren Kamp was close behind for the Chargers in third in 1:06.42, and junior Emmalyse Dickhudt placed fourth in 1:06.53. Sophomore Rotem Andegeko also placed 13th for Hillsdale in the event.
Holmes wrapped up a solid day for the Chargers with a third-place finish in the 100 backstroke, in 57.10, a personal best and the second fastest time in the event in Hillsdale history. Lucia Ruchti placed 12th and Sarah Pataniczek 14th as well for Hillsdale.
With just one day of competition remaining, the Chargers have all but locked up second place behind likely champion Findlay, with 1160 points to third-place Frostburg State's 712.5. Hillsdale will compete in five finals on Saturday, including the 1,650 freestyle, 100 freestyle, 200 backstroke, 200 breaststroke, and 400 freestyle relay.
Photo by Andy Smith, Malone Athletics