Chargers break two pool records at away meet

Home Sports Homepage - Sports Chargers break two pool records at away meet
Chargers break two pool records at away meet
Madeline Breay swims during the 1000 yard freestyle on January 19. (Christian Yiu | Collegian)

The Hillsdale College swimming team continued its winning streak last Saturday as half of the team traveled to Olivet College. The Chargers not only beat the Comets 148-70, but also broke two Olivet College pool records.

The Chargers placed in every event, with swimmers winning first in numerous races. Freshman Amy Mills finished first in the 200 backstroke (2:19.16), sophomore Sydney Slepian finished second (2:20.69), and sophomore Stefanie Walker finished third (2:21.21).

Freshman Cecilia Guadalupi stood out at the meet, winning all of her events and breaking the 200 breaststroke pool record with a time of 2:28.18, as well as the 200 IM pool record with a time of 2:11.42. 

The Chargers found success in the distance events as well, with sophomore Sarah Clark winning the 1,000 freestyle by 10 seconds (11:01.42), and freshman Sarah Patancizek placing second with a time of 11:11.79.

Freshman Caroline Holmes placed first in the 500 freestyle (5:24.06), Clark captured second in 5:27.86, and junior Maddie Breay finished third in 5:38.85. 

Holmes won the G-MAC Swimming and Diving Athlete of the Week, making her the second Charger freshman to win the award in the three weeks that it has been given out. Holmes also won the 100 freestyle (55.79) and swam a leg on the winning 200 freestyle relay (1:46.84). 

Holmes said she was very surprised and excited to receive the Athlete of the Week Award. 

“I’m really happy that Hillsdale has won it twice,” she said before going on to praise her team’s success. “We had a lot of really strong swims for where we are in the season right now. I really liked our team’s energy. Lots of cheering, lots of support.”

Head coach Kurt Kirner said he was equally proud of the team’s overall performance. While only half the team was allowed to travel due to COVID rules, Kirner said he was able to devote more time to the athletes.   

“Half the athletes, twice the attention,” said Kirner. “I’m really happy with how this half of the team performed. It was better than I could’ve imagined. I really liked the times and efforts put forth by the half of the team that went to this meet.”

The Chargers will travel to Ashland University, in Ashland, Ohio, on Feb. 6, for a dual meet again at 1 p.m.