The Hillsdale College Charger swim team earned two impressive wins at a tri-meet against Ashland University and Saginaw Valley State University, finishing at 151-74 and 114-113 respectively.
“I don’t know if we’ve ever beat Saginaw Valley,” Senior Carissa Henderson said. “They’re not a conference rival, but we did see them at Davenport earlier in the season and we did lose to them.”
Henderson said the one point advantage over Saginaw came down to a few swimmers who pushed themselves and had some excellent swims, particularly sophomore Amy Mills.
“Amy Mills came from behind and passed two Saginaw Valley people to get second in the 400 I.M. to another Hillsdale person,” Henderson said. “That event won the meet. Every single person counted.”
Freshman Joanna Burnham came first with a 4:44.70 and Mills finished second with a 4:49.42, out-touching the third and fourth finishers by hundredths of a second.
Illness and injury took six swimmers out of the rotation this weekend, which means only 17 women competed, making the wins even more remarkable.
“It was kind of crazy, I had no idea we were going to be able to do that,” Senior Taylor Boyle said.
Head Coach Kurt Kirner also said he was excited about the win.
“It was one of the most memorable performances I’ve had in my thirty-plus years of coaching,” Kirner said. “To be down with 6 significant athletes, give up diving points, and be 15 points out with two events left and pull it out is outstanding.”
The Chargers came into the meet with a disadvantage since both Saginaw Valley and Ashland had divers competing in the meet. Ashland’s scores in the diving events put them 32 points ahead of the Chargers, but they finished 151-74 against Ashland regardless.
Hillsdale swimmers topped a number of events, including both the 200 medley relay and the 200 freestyle relay, finishing at 1:51.34 and 1:39.74 respectively. Junior Marie Taylor finished first in the 50 yard freestyle at 24.50. Freshman Megan Clifford won the 200 yard butterfly with an eight second lead at 2:10.25.
The team also celebrated senior night at the meet, their last home meet of the season. The six seniors on the team include Boyle, Henderson, Maddie Breay, Becca Briskey, Stefanie Walker, and Anna Clark.
“It is always sad to see those who have been so integral to the program in their very last meet,” Kirner said. “The team truly stepped up this weekend in honor of this great group of women.”
He reminisced on the meaningful moments they’ve shared over the past four years.
“I can remember how well they have bonded from practically the first day they stepped on campus,” Kirner said. “They have always had each other’s backs and bring out the best in each other.”
Boyle and Henderson said the conclusion of their college swimming career is bittersweet, but they have confidence in the younger girls, especially the freshmen.
“I have faith in them. Every year is just getting faster and faster,” Boyle said.
“We’re leaving the team in very capable hands,” Henderson said. “They’re fantastic, and I think they can take it from here.”
The Chargers swim in another tri-meet against Calvin University and Davenport University on Friday, Jan. 21.
