The Charger swim team is currently in fourth place out of 11 teams going into the second day of the four-day GLIAC championships at the Jenison Aquatics Center.
On Wednesday the Hillsdale College swimmers got off to a strong start.
Senior Rachael Kurtz placed second in the 50 Freestyle, with a time of 23.46, hitting the NCAA national qualifying B cut which is 24.12. Junior Zoe Hopkins also hit the 1000 Freestyle B standard (10:32.14) swimming a time of 10:30.9.
Junior Sarah Rinaldi also added points for the Chargers in the 200 IM hitting the standard as well (2:07.98), swimming a 2:07.47, but just barely missing finals.
To close the night, the 200 meter relay team of sophomore Emily Balog, senior Cayley Cruickshank, Rinaldi, and Kurtz finished seventh with a time of 1:50.74.
Out of the six conference dual meets this season, Hillsdale College has pulled out a 4-2 record. Going into the conference championship, the team is ranked fifth.
“We will be right in the middle as a team fifth – seventh out of 11 teams,” head coach Kurt Kirner said. “The more substantial results are individually what we can achieve such as team records and NCAA qualifying cuts. These are things we have more control over.”
“I have a good feeling about this meet. I think the team is ready to have some really fast swims and our depth could allow us to place well overall. As a team, we always strive to place higher than the year before, “ senior captain Ali Bauer said.
Earlier this season, the Chargers made history by breaking the 10 meet win barrier, which was an exciting prelude to the conference championship. Unfortunately, not having a diving squad to add points to their score, requires the swimmers to make their races count, which means zeroing in on the details that can save them precious points.
“Coach has been telling us to focus on the little things, such as turns and starts. He’s also really emphasizing swimming fast in the morning so that we’re seeded well for finals,” sophomore up-and-comer Emily Shallman said. “As far as preparation goes, Coach has been helping us with perfecting our strokes and turns with the help of the underwater video camera. Also, he’s just really excited for this meet and some fast swimming-that attitude is infectious.”
In preparation for the event, the team has prepared their bodies and their minds for the peak of the season.
“It is pretty elementary, we are tapered and rested and there is no doubt we will be at our best. The girls are definitely racers,” Kirner said. “They know how to prepare themselves and swim fast when it counts.”
