This past weekend, the Hillsdale women’s swim team notched another victory onto its record, defeating Kalamazoo College 142-134. Again, Hillsdale won not from the performance of an individual superstar, but from the collective efforts of the team. Hillsdale’s depth came in handy against the Hornets, as both youngsters and veterans alike contributed to the win.
Consistent freshmen Sarah Rinaldi and Zoe Hopkins both won individual events. Rinaldi took first in the 200 IM (2:13) while Hopkins won the 500 free (5:20). Senior Sarah Leitner won first place in the 100 free (955.11) and sophomore sprinter Rachael Kurtz won the 50 free (4.6).
Despite fewer individual victories, Hillsdale’s consistency once again let it pull out the overall win. Last week, Hillsdale relied on its numerous second and third place finishes to overpower and win against Ashland. This week looked much the same, as Hillsdale benefitted greatly from second and third place finishes in a string of events: the 200 backstroke with Rinaldi and senior Becca Remmes, the 1000 free with sophomore Mikalah Smith and senior Sami Ward; and in the 100 breaststroke with school record-holder sophomore Cayley Cruickshank and junior Kate Smith.
Sophomore diver Gretchen Geist, a key force in the victory against Ashland, again contributed towards Hillsdale’s victory by winning the 1 meter diving event (252 pts.).
The highlight of the meet, which saw the two teams trading the lead various times, came when Hillsdale’s 200 freestyle relay (Kurtz and seniors Leitner, Lauren Burt, and Ward) defeated Kalamazoo’s relay by mere fractions of a second (1:41.17 to 1:14.3).
Coach Kurt Kirner was pleased with the win, which brings the Charger’s record to 8-3 for the year. Due to the stiff competition provided by Kalamazoo, Kirner was forced to make some last minute changes to the lineup, but it evidently worked out as Hillsdale squeaked out the victory.
The swim season, which began back in early September, will culminate at the conference championships in about a week. The girls, who have spent countless hours swimming, lifting weights, performing dry land exercises, and recovering to repeat it all are now in what is called the taper phase. They’ll keep up their intensity, but drastically reduce their volume of training. Their bodies, after being broken down all season, will finally have a chance to fully heal in order to be in prime racing condition for GLIACs.
According to Rinaldi, “during taper, while your body is recovering, you may actually feel worse. You have to keep in mind the end goal which means being strong and ready to go on race day,” she said.
Rinaldi is ready for GLIACS and excited to race.
Kirner is happy with how things have played out lately: a grueling, but successful training trip in which the girls pushed themselves to their limits, a win against highly ranked (formerly #8) opponent Ashland, and most recently the victory in the final dual meet of the season.
To Kirner, the key to the team’s success at their conference championships coming up will lay in the girls staying relaxed yet sharp, with their heads in the game.
“GLIACs, which lasts for four days, is a mental challenge as much as it is a physical one. The girls have to stay sharp as they compete in prelims, semis, and finals all for one event,” Kirner said.
Kirner will be content as long as the girls break their personal best times, which he is confident they will do.
