Freshman Sasha Babenko getting ready to step onto the block for her race
Courtesy | Hillsdale Athletic Department

The Hillsdale women’s swim team placed second at Bethel Invite, defeating Lindsey Wilson University and North Central College in its second meet of the season, hosted by Bethel University in Elkhart, Indiana, Oct. 25.

In the final scoring the Chargers held 91 points over Lindsey Wilson at 174-83, 195 points over North Central with 216-21, and lost to Bethel by 59 at 168-119. 

Head coach Kurt Kirner said he was proud of the team’s effort during the meet.

“Definitely an all around team effort,” Kirner said. “We are making headway toward the midseason as we get healthier. Our team spirit and comradery has been exceptional.” 

Among the first-place finishes was freshman Sasha Babenko’s 100 backstroke with a time of 58.24. She also led off the 200 free relay, in which the team finished second with an overall time of 1:40:57. She placed fourth in the 100 freestyle in 56.41 and fifth in the 50 freestyle in 25.61.

“Our team’s focus heading into this meet was to give everything we had,” Babenko said. “Practices have been tough lately, so our main goal was to keep our heads up and compete with full effort. I was proud of myself for putting all my faith in God and trusting His plan. The faith I had in Him allowed me to win the 100 back.”

Freshman Rylee Harris took third place in the 200 freestyle with a time of 2:01:56. She placed fifth in the 200 backstroke in 2:17:49, sixth in the 50 freestyle in 26:15, and was also on the 200 freestyle relay team placing second. 

“Every race is a lesson and we all have things to take from reflecting on our past races,” Harris said. “Our coaches are great and help us make race plans, reflecting on our past races. We want to keep getting better every meet  and continue to be there for each other and support each other.” 

Other high-scoring swimmers included freshman Avery May and freshman Kate Potwardowski. May took first in the 1000 freestyle with a time of 10:50:81, first in the 500 freestyle in  5:17:37, and third in the 100 freestyle in  56:39. Potwardowski finished in first place in the 200 breaststroke with a time of 2:30:89 and second place in the 100 breaststroke in 1:08:89. 

Sophomore Yvonne Botha finished second in the 200 backstroke in  2:15:97. Sophomore Ella Malone placed third in the 200 butterfly in  2:17:15. Junior Inez McNichols placed second in the 400 individual medley with a time of 4:59:24.

“We wanted to get some updated times to see how we are progressing as we get closer to our midseason invitational,” Kirner said. “At our midseason we will be rested and suited up for best times.” 

The team will compete against Albion College and Davenport University at home on Nov. 7, and against Aquinas College and Indiana Wesleyan University at home for Hillsdale’s senior meet Nov. 8.