The swim team dove into the 2024-25 season by defeating the Campbellsville University Tigers and the Indiana Wesleyan University Wildcats in a meet hosted by the Wildcats  Sat. Oct 5. 

Hillsdale topped the Wildcats by a score of 161.5-95.5 and the Tigers by 199-51, according to a press release from the Charger website.

Seniors represented well for the Chargers this weekend, according to sophomore Inez McNichols.

“We have an amazing class of seniors right now that I am confident will lead us to huge success in the last year of their swimming careers,” McNichols said.

Senior Megan Clifford, a 2023-24 All-American, won the 200 yard butterfly with a time of 2:06.09 and the 100 yard freestyle at 53.62.

Senior Elise Mason, also a former All-American, took home the 1,000 yard freestyle title for the Chargers in 10:51.21 and junior Jamie Parsons took third. Mason also won the 200 yard backstroke with a time of 2:13.17. McNichols took third.

“This year we did a good job at focusing on having a good time and lifting each other up, which helped the team perform well and win the meet,” Parsons said.

Senior Joanna Burnam also helped the team with two individual wins of her own. She won the medley relay for the Chargers with a time of 2:19.50 and the 100 yard breaststroke by 21 hundredths of a second with a time of 1:10.25. Sophomore Lauren Kamp came in second for the Chargers behind Burnam.
Adding to the Hillsdale victory, freshman Ella Shafer won the 200 yard freestyle in 2:00.16 and sophomore Isabel Ondraceck won the 500 yard freestyle in 5:32.80.

“It’s been a while since we’ve all competed together, so to be back racing and cheering for each other is really exciting,” McNichols said. “I’m excited for the team to continue to bond and grow together as we take on new teams.”

The Chargers travel to Detroit to compete against Wayne State University on Oct. 12 at 11 a.m.