A strong performance by a freshman competing in her first collegiate championship meet gave the Hillsdale College women's swimming and diving team its second conference title on day two of the 2025 G-MAC/MEC Championships on Thursday night in Canton, Ohio.
Ella Schafer, the fastest 200 freestyler in Chargers history, won the G-MAC/MEC title in the event in 1:52.57 on Thursday night. Schafer had already broken the school record set in 2019 by Katherine Heeres earlier in the season and was considered a contender coming in, but swam two excellent races to bring home her first G-MAC/MEC crown.
Schafer led an impressive showing by the Chargers in the 200 freestyle, Hillsdale's best performance in an event so far at the 2025 Championships. Sophomore
Alyson Early took third behind Schafer in a strong time of 1:53.38, and fellow freshman
Matilyn Wilhelmsen was right behind Early in 1:53.97. Distance queen
Elise Mason dipped down into the sprints to score valuable points as well for the Chargers, taking sixth in 1:56.12.
Hillsdale also placed three in the top nine in the 100 butterfly, led by senior
Elise Mason, who finished fifth in 56.39. Freshman
Ella Malone placed eighth in 57.75 as well for the Chargers, while sophomore
Inez McNichols won the second heat in a time of 57.38 to finish ninth.
In the 400 individual medley, senior
Joanna Burnham placed fourth with a time of 4:36.75, and
Lauren Kamp took 11th in 4:50.92.
Hillsdale capped the night with a runner-up finish in the 400 medley relay, as the Chargers' team of Malone, Burnham, McNichols and Clifford finished in 3:52.48.
Although the Chargers are unlikely to catch the leader, Findlay, over the final two days, Hillsdale had a strong day two, creating significant separation between themselves and the third-place team, Ashland, in the standings entering the third day. Hillsdale will be back in the pool on Friday, competing in finals in the 500 freestyle, 100 backstroke, 100 breaststroke, 200 butterfly and 800 freestyle relay.
Photo courtesy of Malone Athletics
