The Hillsdale College women's swimming and diving team's two national meet qualifiers hit the pool for their first events of the NCAA DII National Championships on Wednesday and Thursday at the IU Natatorium in Indianapolis.

Senior Elise Mason kicked things off on Wednesday morning, taking 32nd in the nation in the 1000 yd freestyle with a time of 10:24.31. The event is just an appetizer for Mason, who will also compete in the 500 freestyle on Friday. The main event for Mason is the 1,650 freestyle on Saturday morning, her best event and the one she earned All-American honors in as a sophomore in 2023. The Zeeland, Michigan native will be looking to add another All-American honor this season and break her own school record in the event.

On Thursday morning, senior Megan Clifford took 30th in the 100 butterfly with a time of 55.86, just a tenth of a second off her personal best. Like Mason, Clifford's best event is still to come as she readies for the 200 butterfly on Friday morning. Clifford is a two-time All-American in that event and looking to add a third All-American finish, a feat that's never been accomplished by a women's swimmer in Chargers history. Clifford also will swim in the 100 yd freestyle on Saturday.

As mentioned above, both swimmers will be in the pool on Friday morning, as Elise Mason opens the session competing in the 500 freestyle prelims at 10 a.m., and Clifford will close the session with prelims in the 200 butterfly.

Photo by James Gensterblum