The Collegian

Issue date: 10/23/08 Section: Sports

The Charger swim team claimed a victory by one point against Ashland University Saturday. It was an upset two years in the making.

"We were definitely surprised and excited," senior diver Charlotte Wolfe said.

Team captain and senior Anne Verhoef said it was a "positive first step" for the season. She said the last time Hillsdale defeated Ashland was her freshman in 2005, and emphasized that Ashland has been competitive in the conference. The Chargers came from behind, tying with Ashland in the 200 medley relay. The second round of diving gained Hillsdale crucial points and put them in a good position to ultimately win 140.5-139.

This Saturday, the Chargers will face Grand Valley State University, sixth in the GLIAC.

Competing in their first collegiate meet, the freshmen excelled and provided a major boost at Ashland by taking top positions in several events. Nikki Dyer and freshman Michaela Wolfe took first and second, respectively, in the 500-yard freestyle. Dyer also won the 1000 freestyle event, and freshman Linda Okonkowski took first in the 100 fly and the 200 freestyle.

Being the only diver, Charlotte Wolfe winning performance in the one-meter and three-meter diving events proved advantageous to the team - Ashland did not have a diver. Wolfe put up 199.73 points on one-meter and 195.15 on the three-meter. Other game-clinching events included Verhoef taking top spots in the 50 freestyle and 100 freestyle, junior Meredith Scott kicking in at first in the 100 breaststroke and the 200 medley relay team consisting of Scott, Verhoef, Okonkowski and senior Kathryn Hogan, who clocked in collectively at 1:52.59.

Overall, the Chargers placed first in nine of 14 individual events.

"It's a good start to the season and it gives us confidence for the rest," Michaela Wolfe said.

The team's main focus this weekend is improvement, specifically in their race and endurance, head coach Kurt Kirner said. Being early in the season, Kirner said he wants his swimmers to work on figuring out the pieces of the puzzle and be able to put the puzzle together by the season's end.

"Right now, we're just trying to give them a good foundation to move forward," he said. "The idea is to swim well regardless of how tired they are."

Though their priority is refining their race, the team members said feel they can give a good showing, given their recent victory and strong team.

"We'll swim the best we can and see who comes out on top," Verhoef said.

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