With another dual meet victory under their belt, the Charger swimmers appear to be ready to make waves in the GLIAC championships next week.
Saturday, the team defeated the Ashland Eagles 114-65, bringing their season dual/tri-meet record to 8-2. Their final meet of the season elicited all-around consistent performances from every swimmer.
“The meet against Ashland this weekend bodes well for the GLIAC championships,” head coach Mary Anne Gerzanick said. “We're only halfway through our taper and still our swimmers had their best times. That's very exciting for a coach.”
The victory also adds another season team goal accomplished: a winning season record. The Chargers improve from last year's record of 3-4.
“It has been a hard season, but already the effects of that hard work are showing,” senior team captain Julia Parsons said. “It was a very successful season and I'm excited to see what comes next week.”
The Chargers placed first in nine out of the 11 events.
The 400-medley relay consisting of junior Cylie Hoopingarner, sophomore Amanda Smith, freshman Tyler Patterson and Mara Gushrowski finished 6 seconds ahead of Ashland's team.
Freshman Laura Axiak won the 1650 freestyle with Parsons close behind.
Gushrowski narrowly won the 200-freestyle, and Smith also earned a first in the 50-freestyle.
“I feel that we all did extremely well,” Smith said. “Personally, my times were not as great as I wanted them to be, but, for the time being, just stepping up and getting the job done was all that was needed for this meet.”
Patterson collected another top finish in the 400 IM, recording a time of 4:44.92, defeating her closest opponent's time of 4:49.59.
Hoopingarner continued to do well, nabbing victories in both the 200-butterfly and 200 backstroke. Her time of 2:09.47 in the butterfly qualified her for an NCAA “B” time standard, her fourth for this year. Smith added another top finish in the 100 freestyle. Parsons finished at 5:29.58, grabbing first in the 500 freestyle.
The Chargers will head to Wayne State University Feb. 16-19 to compete in the GLIAC championships.