G-MAC Swimming & Diving Rundown

12.4.25

Malone Pioneers Host Successful Invitational

The Malone University men’s and women’s swimming programs capped off the semester’s dual meet schedule by hosting the Malone Invitational from November 20-22. The event served as a major mid-season benchmark for the Pioneers, who faced a highly competitive field.

Team Finishes:

  • Men: 8th place (out of 14 teams)

  • Women: 8th place (out of 15 teams)

The Pioneers used the home meet to post numerous season-best times and make significant adjustments before the final push toward the conference championship in February. The team was especially strong on Friday, where they recorded four new top-ten program times, demonstrating strong depth and speed development across multiple events.

Hillsdale Women’s Program Excels at Don Kimble Invite

The Hillsdale College women's swimming and diving team traveled to East Kentwood, Michigan, to compete in the highly competitive three-day Don Kimble Invite (DK Invite), delivering one of their best mid-season performances in recent history.

Team Finish:

  • Women: 2nd place (out of 8 teams)

The Chargers were outstanding, setting four new school records and achieving two NCAA Division II B-cut times during the competition.

Hillsdale Highlights:

  • School Records & NCAA Cuts: Freshman Avery May achieved an NCAA B-cut time and a runner-up finish in the 500-yard freestyle (5:02.87) and recorded the program’s second-fastest time ever in the 400-yard individual medley (4:29.30, runner-up). Freshman Sasha Babenko also delivered a historic performance, setting new school records in the 100-yard backstroke (56.21, runner-up) and the 200-yard backstroke (2:03.06, third place).

  • Relay Victory: The 400-yard freestyle relay team, composed of Avery May, Sasha Babenko, Ella Malone, and Ella Schafer, secured the Chargers’ sole event victory while simultaneously breaking a school record (3:29.24).

  • B-Cut Times: Sophomore Ella Schafer earned the Chargers’ second NCAA B-cut of the meet with a runner-up finish in the 200-yard freestyle (1:52.81). Schafer also placed third in the 100-yard freestyle. Following the meet, May was recognized for her efforts by being named the G-MAC Women’s Swimmer of the Week.