After an undefeated season and a commanding win at the GMAC/MEC conference meet last spring, the Charger swim team is back in the pool and ready for more competition.
The team welcomes five new faces to the pool deck — four freshman swimmers and one junior, Nickaylah Sampson, who walked on to the team after transferring to Hillsdale in spring 2022. Head coach Kurt Kirner said the new swimmers, and particularly the freshmen, add a lot to the team.
“The freshman class is event-diverse and strong. I feel they are able to fill in many of the holes created through the graduating seniors,” he said. “That along with our entire team stepping it up should give us a strong contingent going into this upcoming season.”
There is also new leadership on the pool deck. After former assistant coach Zoe Tracey stepped down from the role, Alissa Lufkin filled her shoes as full-time assistant. Lufkin, who swam for Kirner at Hillsdale, had previously been a part-time assistant coach.
On the student side, seniors Sydney Slepian and Leah Tunney have been elected as the team senior captains, with junior Caroline Holmes as this year’s junior captain.
“Just as in any season, we’re going into it hoping everyone shares a great deal of camaraderie, genuinely are just having a lot of fun with teammates and are grateful to be there,” Slepian said. “That’s what we focus on — everyone feeling loved and accepted and from there we’re able to produce a lot of positive training and a lot of good workouts that further lead to success.”
The new swimmers are excited to be a part of the team.
“It’s been super fun getting to know everyone. Having the team has made the transition to college really easy and smooth,” freshman Emmy Sigtryggsson said. “Swimming wasn’t always the plan in college and I’m very grateful to be a part of a team with such amazing women.”
Sampson was also not expecting to swim in college. A lifelong swimmer, she originally enrolled at the United States Military Academy which has Division I swimming. Sampson joined the rowing team instead, but last spring she transferred to Hillsdale after West Point started requiring COVID-19 vaccines. After talking with Kirner and training over the summer, she walked onto the team this fall.
“From what the girls are telling me, it’s a lot of fun,” Sampson said. “Meets were not fun in high school. I used to get very stressed and would psych myself out. But I actually had the privilege of watching a meet one time and I saw how much fun they were having. Also this team specifically is the best in the Midwest, so I’m excited to be a part of a team like that.”
Charger swim races for the first time October 8 at 12 p.m. This will be their only home meet during the entire season and it will be their celebration of the senior class. Kirner and Slepian both encouraged attendance at this meet since it will be the only chance to watch the team compete and the last time the seniors will race at their home pool.
“Go or die,” Slepian said, jokingly.
