The Hillsdale College swim team wrapped up its season at the GLIAC tournament this weekend at Mott High School in Waterford Township, Michigan, with a sixth-place overall finish with 298 points.
This is the 15th time since 1989 that the women’s swim team has placed sixth at the conference tournament, matching their place at last year’s GLIAC meet.
The Chargers finished their dual meet season with a record of 7-4-1.
“In many ways, it exceeded what I was expecting. However, we had some untimely injuries and illness that affected what we were trying to do,” head coach Kurt Kirner said. “In the end I was very proud of the camaraderie and competitiveness of this group.”
The freshman class finished their first season on a high note, particularly the 200 medley relay team. Susanne DeTar, Erla Sigurjonsdottir, Anika Ellingson, and Tiffany Farris placed sixth in the event, recording a school record with a time of 1:46.84.
On the first day of competition, the Chargers were in seventh place with 55 points. Eleven of the 55 points came from senior captain Zoe Hopkins, who took eighth place in the 1000 freestyle with a time of 10:27.43.
“It was exciting to watch the freshmen swim so well. As a senior, it’s a good feeling knowing that the team is continuing to get faster,” Hopkins said. “It was also fun to watch the seniors’ last races and be there for each other as we finished off our last season together. The past four years have gone by so fast it still doesn’t feel like it’s over.”
Senior Sarah Rinaldi was the star Charger of the meet, placing sixth in the 200 individual medley — good enough for a ‘B-cut’ qualifying time for nationals. On the second day of competition, she scored 12 points individually with a seventh place finish in the 400 individual medley.
“As a senior, GLIACs had such a different feel to it,” Rinaldi said. “It was a bittersweet feeling to think that my swimming career would soon be over, and I would no longer be in the pool and in the weight room with these ladies everyday.”
Rinaldi was an important leg in the 400 medley relay, alongside Farris, Ellingson and junior Emily Shallman for a sixth place finish.
After the second day of racing, the swim team had earned 123 points and maintained their seventh place standing.
On the third day, Ellingson swam into second place in the 100 breaststroke. She broke her own school record in the event with a time of 1:03.35. Later, she finished in record-breaking time for a ninth-place finish in the 200 breaststroke. Both of her times are also ‘B-cut’ eligible for nationals.
Hopkins swam in the 500 freestyle for an eighth place finish, as well as the 1650 freestyle, where she finished in sixth place. As it was the last meet for the seniors, the group led the team to a solid finish for the season.
“Anika was outstanding in both breaststroke events and has a very decent shot at being invited to NCAAs. Zoe and Sarah were seniors with experience and swam in finals every night,” Kirner said. “The seniors were solid. Without them we would have not scored many of our points. They were the heart and soul of our team, not just this year, but for the last four years.”
The NCAA national meet will be held in Indianapolis, Indiana, on March 9.
