A shorthanded Hillsdale College women's swimming and diving team fell to a tough opponent in its first meet back from Christmas Break on Saturday in the Jack McAvoy Natatorium.

The Chargers lost 166-65 to a strong Saginaw Valley State squad. Although Hillsdale was missing a couple of swimmers due to illness and had additional athletes competing despite also still recovering, the Chargers were able to put together a few impressive performances. Senior Megan Clifford earned Hillsdale's lone event victory in the pool, winning the 100 butterfly in 58.59, and also took runner-up honors in the 50 freestyle (24.97) and swam a leg on the runner-up 200 freestyle relay team along with Ella Schafer, Lucia Ruchti and Inez McNichols that finished in 1:41.69 for the Chargers.

Schafer, a freshman, took home a pair of runner-up finishes as well as her performance on the relay, placing second in the 100 freestyle in 54.76 and second in the 200 freestyle in 1:58.57. Senior Elise Mason also took two seconds, in the 400 individual medley in 4:51.28, and the 500 freestyle in 5:25.89.

Mason teamed with Ruchti, Joanna Burnham and Ella Malone to place second in the 400 medley relay (4:07.23) as well.

The Chargers will rest up and look to get healthy ahead of another dual this coming Saturday, as Hillsdale travels to Albion College for a meet at 1 p.m. on Jan. 18.

Photo by Emma Purdy