Swim team rolls over competition; prepares for more
The season reaches full gallop, and the women hit their stride.
Phillip Morgan
Issue date: 11/19/09 Section: Sports
The Charger Swim Team kept pace with the rest of the Hillsdale's sports teams this weekend by dominating Ohio Northern University and Olivet College at their final home meet of the season of Friday.
The girls took first in every event and rounded out the top three finishes in every race but two. The meet was actually so out of hand with three swim events and the diving competitions still to go, the teams stopped keeping score. The final three events we regarded as exhibitions, according to senior captain Meredith Scott.
"We have done very well at our home meets," head coach Kurt Kirner said. "Even though we haven't had great competition we've made great competition for ourselves."
The girls' times did not reflect a lapse in competition as several swimmers had season bests and even broke personal records.
Freshman Catherine Shilka, set a personal record in the 200-yard individual medley, winning with a time of 2:14.35.
"I spent the past five years trying to go under the 2:15 mark," Shilka said. "I was just trying to swim a good race. I was not expecting to go that fast."
Several of the Charger sophomore swimmers had season-best races including Ashleigh Belin in the 400-yard relay, Michaela Wolfe in the 500-yard freestyle and Katie Lamb in the 200-yard freestyle.
The outstanding performance by underclassmen has been a pleasant surprise for many of the Charger swimmers and Kirner.
"I think they have already exceeded expectations," Scott said. "Their times are great, their attitudes are great."
According to Kirner the Chargers depth will serve them well in February when all the GLIAC teams gather in Detroit for the conference championships.
"There are a number of kids in different areas that are coming through," Kirner said. "I can go up and down our roster, and we have people that can make a difference in a number of events. We're going to be a factor at our conference meet because of our depth."
The Chargers begin a three-week layover until the Calvin College Invite. There will be no lack of the competition at the match as it includes Division I, II and III teams.
The ladies are expecting to continue to train hard right up until a week or so before the match. Kirner says the team should be strong and well rested for the meet. He claims that all the right elements are in place for the girls to do some of their best swimming.
"Hopefully we'll have a number of kids get greats times," he said. "The format will be there, the competition will be there, and they'll be rested."
Despite the rigors of a season running from September to at least mid-February and includes a lot of hard training, the team seems to be gelling and enjoying competing against one another.
"There is really good team chemistry," Shilka said. "All the upper classmen have been wonderful. Everybody's really nice. Its been great getting to know them and working with them."
The girls took first in every event and rounded out the top three finishes in every race but two. The meet was actually so out of hand with three swim events and the diving competitions still to go, the teams stopped keeping score. The final three events we regarded as exhibitions, according to senior captain Meredith Scott.
"We have done very well at our home meets," head coach Kurt Kirner said. "Even though we haven't had great competition we've made great competition for ourselves."
The girls' times did not reflect a lapse in competition as several swimmers had season bests and even broke personal records.
Freshman Catherine Shilka, set a personal record in the 200-yard individual medley, winning with a time of 2:14.35.
"I spent the past five years trying to go under the 2:15 mark," Shilka said. "I was just trying to swim a good race. I was not expecting to go that fast."
Several of the Charger sophomore swimmers had season-best races including Ashleigh Belin in the 400-yard relay, Michaela Wolfe in the 500-yard freestyle and Katie Lamb in the 200-yard freestyle.
The outstanding performance by underclassmen has been a pleasant surprise for many of the Charger swimmers and Kirner.
"I think they have already exceeded expectations," Scott said. "Their times are great, their attitudes are great."
According to Kirner the Chargers depth will serve them well in February when all the GLIAC teams gather in Detroit for the conference championships.
"There are a number of kids in different areas that are coming through," Kirner said. "I can go up and down our roster, and we have people that can make a difference in a number of events. We're going to be a factor at our conference meet because of our depth."
The Chargers begin a three-week layover until the Calvin College Invite. There will be no lack of the competition at the match as it includes Division I, II and III teams.
The ladies are expecting to continue to train hard right up until a week or so before the match. Kirner says the team should be strong and well rested for the meet. He claims that all the right elements are in place for the girls to do some of their best swimming.
"Hopefully we'll have a number of kids get greats times," he said. "The format will be there, the competition will be there, and they'll be rested."
Despite the rigors of a season running from September to at least mid-February and includes a lot of hard training, the team seems to be gelling and enjoying competing against one another.
"There is really good team chemistry," Shilka said. "All the upper classmen have been wonderful. Everybody's really nice. Its been great getting to know them and working with them."
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