The Hillsdale College women's swimming and diving team faced strong competition on Senior Day at Jack McAvoy Natatorium on Saturday.

While Hillsdale was unable to upset two-time defending G-MAC/MEC Champion Findlay in a 183-79 loss to the Oilers, the Chargers were able to send off their seniors with an impressive 134-128 win over one of the top squads in the GLVC, Lewis, in a a dual that came down to the final race.

Hillsdale finished ahead of Lewis' top team in the meet-ending 200 freestyle relay, as seniors Megan Clifford and Lucia Ruchti teamed with freshmen Ella Schafer and Kathryn Vieceli to place third in 1:40.02. That finish helped the Chargers turn a four-point deficit to the Flyers entering the race into a six point victory.

Clifford, one of six seniors honored by the Chargers before today's meet, had an impressive all-around showing. The senior got Hillsdale's only event win on the day in her signature event, taking first in the 200 butterfly in 2:05.05, and also placed second in the 100 butterfly in 57.88, ahead of teammate Inez McNichols in third in 1:00.73.

Fellow senior Joanna Burnham took second in the 100 breaststroke for the Chargers in 1:09.17, while senior Elise Mason placed third in the 500 freestyle in 5:18.77.

Schafer also took third in the 200 freestyle for Hillsdale in 1:57.28, and fellow freshman Matilyn Wilhelmsen had podium finishes in two events, placing second in the 200 breaststroke (2:31.74) and third in the 1,000 freestyle (10:51.71).

Along with Clifford, Ruchti, Burnham and Mason, Hillsdale also recognized seniors Nickaylah Sampson and Emmalyse Dickhudt before the start of the meet.

Hillsdale travels to the Don Kimble Invite hosted by Davenport in Grand Rapids, a three-day event beginning on Friday that is the Chargers' final competition before the winter break.

Photo by Emma Purdy