Ryan Mauldin/Collegian
The Charger swim team had home pool advantage last Saturday. Their next home meet will be in January.
Winning first place in seven of 13 events, the Hillsdale swim team trounced Ohio Northern University (82-31) but lost a close meet to Olivet College (62-51) at home Saturday.
“As a team, we swam aggressively, competitively, and our blue caps were out front in most of our events,” sophomore Tyler Patterson said.
“They superceded my expectations,” head coach Mary Anne Gerzanick said. “They did awesome. This was the type of meet you don’t have many times in your career.”
Hillsdale took 1st place in the 400-yard medley relay, 1000-yard freestyle, 100-yard freestyle, 50-yard freestyle, 400-yard individual medley, 200-yard butterfly and 200-yard backstroke.
Gerzanick said they definitely outdid their first meet performance. Every Hillsdale swimmer had a lifetime best or season best time at the meet.
The 400-yard medley relay of Patterson, junior Amanda Smith and freshmen Kathryn Hogan and Anne Verhoeff dropped 5 seconds, placing a second away from Hillsdale’s record. Patterson said she thinks the medley relay will break the school record by the end of the season.
Verhoeff dropped 5 seconds in 200-yard breaststroke and .5 second in the 100-yard freestyle, which makes her only .1 second away from the school record.
“At this point in the season, breaking records is almost unheard of, so the fact that we’re so close to some records speaks volumes about the hard work and dedication of the team,” Gerzanick said.
Among the other highlights, freshman Ali Lanctot dropped 6 seconds in the 400-yard individual medley, 3 seconds in the 200-yard butterfly and 3 seconds in the 200-yard breaststroke.
Sophomore Laura Axiak cut 8 seconds from her 1000-yard freestyle time.
Junior Amanda Smith dropped .5 second in the 100-freestyle.
“I knew they were going to do well, but I can’t believe how well they actually did,” Gerzanick said.
One of only two home meets this season, the meet drew a large crowd of parents and students.
“It’s wonderful that so many parents were in stands to see their kids swim these great times,” Gerzanick said.
According to Gerzanick, while the swimmers are more comfortable with the pool and know the crowd at home, it does not significantly impact their performance.
“I feel that when we have our home meets, we’re more familiar with the blocks, the pool walls, the atmosphere, but at the same time, I think that no matter where we swim, we swim with soul,” Patterson said.
The Chargers will face Northern Michigan University and Wayne State University at Northern Michigan on Saturday.