Seniors Megan Clifford and Elise Mason will swim in the NCAA Division II championship March 11-15 in Indianapolis, after qualifying for the competition last month.
“It was more a relief than anything,” Clifford said about qualifying for nationals. “I knew that I had the capacity to qualify. It was just a matter of doing it.”
Clifford qualified in the 200-yard butterfly, and Mason qualified in the 1,650, 1,000, and 500-yard freestyle. Head swim coach Kurt Kirner said freshman Matilyn Wilhelmsen qualified as an alternate and will attend nationals in case any competitors scratch from the meet.
Clifford said she hopes to break the two minute barrier in the 200-yard butterfly. Mason said she hopes to place in the top 16 for the 1,650-yard freestyle.
“My main goal is to finish my senior year strong and enjoy the process,” Mason said. “I definitely want to make the most of my last chance to swim ever. A more specific goal is getting top 16 in the 1,650, which would mean getting All-American. I’d love to do that one more time.”
This is Clifford’s third nationals competition and Mason’s fourth.
“It was exciting to think that I can finish up my four years of swimming having gone to nationals all four years,” Mason said.
Both Clifford and Mason said they have swum competitively since childhood. Clifford was seven and Mason was five.
“I have spent a lot of hours in the pool, but I’ve learned a lot of valuable lessons from the sport,” Mason said. “It is crazy that it’s coming to an end in just a few weeks.”
Mason and Clifford said they are continuing to train as normal with an upcoming rest period to mentally prepare for the competition. Mason said she is excited to compete at nationals with Clifford.
“She’s a great training buddy and is really an inspiring swimmer,” Mason said. “I’m so lucky to be going with her.”
Clifford said she will stay focused before the meet but also enjoy her time.
“My routine is to stay calm and organized leading up to the meet,” Clifford said. “When I am there, I am having fun with my teammates.
Kirner said he is thrilled to attend nationals in support of Clifford and Mason.
“They are both very dedicated and driven athletes who have taken to the training program we have provided,” Kirner said. “I’m not sure how much I can take credit as they put in the work and are intrinsically driven to excel in championship settings.”
Kirner said he is proud of their performance, not only as swimmers, but as upstanding women.
“They have grown in education both in and out of the classroom at Hillsdale,” Kirner said. “They represent Hillsdale College as exceptional athletes and human beings.”
Kirner said, with his many years of coaching, he sees Clifford and Mason’s exceptional skills and is proud to be their coach.
“This is my 50th year of coaching swimming, and I couldn’t have a better set of athletes to be escorting to the swimming ‘Big Dance.’”
