The Hillsdale College swim team defeated GLIAC-rival Findlay 129-76 and the University of Lewis 119-115 in its last home meet of the season on Saturday at Jack McAvoy Natatorium. The Chargers are 4-0 in their last two tri-meets.
On Saturday, the Chargers honored their six seniors with a Senior Day celebration.
“They are the heart and soul of our program, both in terms of competition and character,” head coach Kurt Kirner said. “Many of them are off to their best years in the past four seasons.”
The meet proved memorable for the seniors, especially for captain Zoe Hopkins who won the 1000 freestyle in 10:43.76, 23 seconds faster than the second-place swimmer. She went on to be the champion in the 500 freestyle as well with a time of 5:16.87.
“It was surreal because I was finishing where I started. I remember Senior Night as a freshman and I thought, ‘That’s so far away,’ and all of a sudden it happens to you. It still doesn’t feel real. I still don’t feel like I’m leaving after this year,” Hopkins said. “It was a good note to leave on with a victory. It was a really big win for us.”
Senior Sarah Rinaldi won the 200 individual medley with a time of 2:14.88, the same time as the last meet, gaining valuable points for the Chargers.
“It was really exciting. The atmosphere was a huge factor in our success. The momentum just carried from the senior presentation all the way through the meet. I thought we all did really well,” Rinaldi said. “Everyone was solid with their times which is really encouraging leading up to the Chicago Invite next weekend so we are hoping for some fast times there.”
Another double winner, freshman Suzanne DeTar is swimming exceptionally well. She won the 50 freestyle with a time of 24.72 seconds and the 100 freestyle in 53.92 seconds, placing her on the all-time top 10 list in each event for the Hillsdale Chargers swim program.
Junior Emily Balog also won her event, the 200 breaststroke, with a time of 2:26.96.
The Chargers will swim on the road at the University of Chicago Invite on Nov. 20.
With such a spread-out season, the Chicago Invite is a chance for the Chargers to evaluate themselves going into the middle of the season.
“We are fully rested and certainly looking for some NCAA “B” cuts and personal best times. It’s kind of a dress rehearsal for the GLIAC Championships in February,” Kirner said.
