Seniors Elise Mason and Megan Clifford finished their swimming careers at the NCAA Division II Championships in Indianapolis, Indiana, last week. Clifford became the first woman in Hillsdale swimming history to earn All-American honors in the 200-yard freestyle for the third straight year. Mason’s best finish of the week was a 21st place finish in the 1,650-yard freestyle.

Mason leaves Hillsdale as a 13-time Great Midwest Athletic Conference champion in distance events, including four straight crowns in the 500-yard freestyle, the 1,000-yard freestyle, and the 1,650-yard freestyle. She also holds school records in each of those events, and attended the national meet all four years at Hillsdale. Along with her high finish in the 1,650-yard freestyle, she placed 32nd in the nation in the 1,000-yard freestyle and 38th in the nation in the 500-yard freestyle.

“I am so blessed to have been able to swim at Hillsdale and I will always remember the amazing time I have had here,” Mason said. “I am also so thankful for everything I have learned through this experience and for all of my supportive teammates.”

On day one of the national meet, Clifford took 30th in the 100-yard butterfly. The next day, she put up her history-making performance in the 200-yard butterfly.

“This season has been the perfect way to end more than 16 years of competing in the swimming world. It tied together many loose ends for me and I was able to just enjoy the time with my teammates and cherish every moment,” Clifford said. “Swimming at Hillsdale has been undoubtedly the biggest blessing of my life as it has blessed me with people who support me in and out of the pool while also challenging me to be the best version of myself.”

On Saturday, she finished her Hillsdale career with a 55th place finish in the 100-yard freestyle.

Clifford, like Mason, will graduate as one of the most decorated swimmers in Hillsdale’s history. She owns school records in the 100-yard butterfly and the 200-yard butterfly. She also leaves as her legacy four individual G-MAC championships.

“Both Megan and Elise set the standard for our team over the past four years. The ultimate competitors, we could always depend upon them to give their best each time out,” Kurt Kirner, head coach for the Chargers, said. “I have been proud to stand alongside them and coach them throughout their final years as student athletes.”