The Hillsdale College women's swimming team headed east to Pennsylvania for two days of invites this weekend, and got the trip off to a good start by winning the California (PA) Winter Frenzy on Friday afternoon.

The Chargers won six of the 14 events to finish with 233 points, placing first out of five competing teams. Sophomore Ella Schafer won the 50 yard freestyle (25.48) for Hillsdale and also swam on both winning relays to lead the way, teaming with Inez McNichols, Rylee Harris and Avery May to win the 200 freestyle relay (1:43.27) and Sasha Babenko, Kate Potwardowski and Ella Malone to win the 400 medley relay (4:06.14).

Several members of winning relays also brought home an event win for the Chargers. Harris, a freshman, took first in the 500 freestyle (5:29.93) for Hillsdale, while fellow freshman Potwardowski brought home the 100 breaststroke title in 1:10.67 and freshman Sasha Babenko won the 100 freestyle in 53.78.

Avery May took second in the 400 IM (4:48.80) as well for the Chargers, while Alyson Early placed second in the 500 freestyle (5:32.64) and third in the 200 backstroke (2:17.27), Lauren Kamp took second in the 100 breaststroke (1:11.46) and Inez McNichols placed second in the 200 butterfly (2:15.81).

Ella Malone added a pair of third place finishes for the Chargers, in the 50 freestyle (25.82) and 100 freestyle (55.94), while Isabel Ondracek placed third in the 400 IM (4:57.34) and fourth in the 100 freestyle (57.68). Olivia Leathers took third in the 200 butterfly (2:19.62) and Rotem Andegeko placed fourth in the 400 IM (5:00.70).

Hillsdale will compete again at California (PA) tomorrow, battling the Vulcans and other schools at 11 a.m. in the Vulcan Invitational to wrap up the weekend.