The Hillsdale College women's swimming and diving team traveled to East Kentwood, Michigan on Saturday for one final tune-up meet before championship season begins.

The Chargers swam well, beating Aquinas College 146-90, and also edging out Davenport in points scored from swimming events but ultimately falling to the host Panthers 126-104 once points from diving were included.

Hillsdale was led on the day by its two senior All-Americans, both of whom won multiple events for the Chargers. Megan Clifford took first in the 200 freestyle in 1:55.85 and also led a 1-2-3 Hillsdale finish in the 200 butterfly with a scorching time of 2:03.92, ahead of teammate Inez McNichols who took second in 2:17.28. Clifford also teamed with McNichols, freshman Ella Schafer and senior Lucia Ruchti on a runner-up 400 freestyle relay in 3:40.48.

Elise Mason also had an excellent day for the Chargers, headlining 1-2 finishes in both the 500 and 1,650 freestyle. Mason won the 500 free in 5:17.06, beating teammate Isabel Ondracek who took second in 5:29.26, and the senior also took first in the 1,650 free in 17:44.68, ahead of teammate Jamie Parsons in second in 18:51.09. Mason also was part of a runner-up relay, teaming with Ella Malone, Joanna Burnham and Ruchti in the 400 medley relay and finishing in 4:07.49.

Burnham had a strong performance as well for Hillsdale, winning the 200 breaststroke in 2:31.22 for the Chargers, with teammate Lauren Kamp close behind in second in 2:31.92. Burnham also earned runner-up honors in the 400 individual medley in 4:46.48.

Schafer placed second in the 100 freestyle for Hillsdale in 55.62 as well. 

The Chargers now turn their focus to three weeks from now, when Hillsdale travels to the C.T. Branin Natatorium in Canton, Ohio to compete in the four day G-MAC/MEC Championships, beginning on Feb. 12. Hillsdale took runner-up honors behind defending champion Findlay last season, and it's expected to be a two-team race between the two rivals again for the team crown.