The Hillsdale College women’s swimming team won its first in-person meet on Saturday afternoon against Indiana Wesleyan University 132-70, proving that the unconventional and virtual start to the season had no impact on the Chargers’ ability to perform at an impressive level.
Head coach Kurt Kirner emphasized the importance of setting realistic goals for the team and individual swimmers as they return to live meets.
“If we were under different circumstances, I know we could go even faster,” Kirner said. “We have a very talented team. The important thing is keeping [the team’s] expectations realistic, and realizing that what we do here is what we need to build upon.”
Although Kirner approached the meet cautiously, he mentioned that he was pleased with his swimmers and their results.
“I was very happy,” he said. “We had some individuals who had some pretty decent times.”
The women certainly did make an impressive appearance, with top finishes in every event. Sophomore Leah Tunney, freshman Cecilia Guadalupi, junior Anna Clark, and junior Carissa Henderson set the tone for the meet by placing first in the 200-yard medley relay with a time of 1:53.83. They were followed closely by Hillsdale’s B-relay of sophomore Sydney Slepian, junior Taylor Boyle, senior Emma Rao, and junior Rebecca Briskey (1:54.00).
Sophomore Marie Taylor, Rao, and Henderson went 1-2-3 in the 50-yard freestyle, with times of 25.09, 25.66, and 25.90, respectively.
The Chargers continued to make top finishes, with Guadalupi placing first (2:14.17) and Tunney placing second (2:15.89) in the 200-yard individual medley.
Clark placed first in the 100-yard butterfly with a time of 1:10.04, and sophomore Madison Pyhel placed second with 1:01.32.
Guadalupi, Boyle, and junior Madeline Breay went 1-2-3 in the 100 breaststroke, with times of 1:10.07, 1:11.40, and 1:13.85, respectively. Guadalupi earned the G-MAC women’s swimming and diving Athlete of the Week Award as a result of her top finishes and overall performance in the pool.
Senior Katherine Heeres placed first in the 100-yard backstroke (1:00.86) and sophomore Caroline Holmes placed second (1:00.93).
The Chargers also made a strong appearance in the 1000-yard freestyle, with Pyhel placing second (10:56.84) and sophomore Sarah Clark placing third (11:05.38).
Along with the impressive meet results of this week, the Charger swim team was able to recognize some deserving swimmers for their hard work in the pool. Heeres and Rao were honored at their last home meet for their contributions to the team over the past four years.
Heeres said while sad that her time as a Charger is nearing an end, she was happy to be able to swim one last time at her home pool on Saturday.
“[The meet] was really bittersweet,” Heeres said. “It was kind of weird and unexpected but it was a great way to celebrate our last meet there, and everyone swam really well.”
The Chargers will compete next weekend at Bethel University in Indiana on Jan. 23 at 1 p.m. in a four-team invitational.
