INDIANAPOLIS -- This week was marked by Senior Day celebrations and decisive invitational titles as programs fine-tuned their rosters for the upcoming conference championships. The University of Findlay protected its home pool in a sweep of Wayne State, while Hillsdale and Ashland each secured vital mid-January victories.
Findlay Protects Home Turf in Sweep of Wayne State
The No. 8 Findlay men and No. 13 Findlay women welcomed GLIAC power Wayne State to Sink Natatorium on Saturday, Jan. 17, for Senior Day. Both Oiler programs extended their home unbeaten streak—which dates back to October 2024—with a pair of hard-fought victories.
Team Scores:
-
Men: Findlay 106, Wayne State 99
-
Women: Findlay 139, Wayne State 66
Men's Highlights
In a meet that came down to the final relay, the Oiler men relied on their veteran leadership and standout freshmen to edge the No. 16 Warriors:
-
Sebastian Camacho (Fr.) continued his unbeaten run in the distance lanes, taking the 1000-yard freestyle in 9:45.88.
-
Camilo Marrugo (Sr.) delivered a clutch 49.99 to win the 100-yard butterfly and played a key role in victories for both the 200-yard medley and 200-yard freestyle relays.
-
Juan Blandon Torres (Fr.) swept the sprint events, winning the 50-yard freestyle (20.94) and contributing to both winning relay teams.
Women's Highlights
The Oiler women controlled their meet from start to finish, winning nearly every event on the program:
-
Katie Susi (Sr.) was a triple winner, sweeping the 100-yard breaststroke (1:05.39) and the 200-yard individual medley (2:11.29), in addition to a relay victory.
-
Olivia Scheibelhoffer (So.) claimed the 50-yard freestyle (24.48) and the 100-yard backstroke (59.28).
-
Michelle Jativa (Fr.) secured a distance double, winning the 1000-yard freestyle (10:46.27) and the 500-yard freestyle (5:15.95).
Hillsdale Chargers Roll to Vulcan Invite Title
The Hillsdale College women’s team traveled to California, Pennsylvania, for the Vulcan Invitational on Jan. 17. The Chargers put on a dominant display, winning every single event on the schedule to capture the team title.
Team Finish:
Freshmen Sasha Babenko and Avery May each captured three titles to lead the charge. Babenko won the 50-yard freestyle (24.75) and 100-yard backstroke (58.77), while May took the 1650-yard freestyle (18:26.80) and 200-yard IM (2:14.58). Sophomore Ella Schafer also impressed with a win in the 200-yard freestyle (1:57.42).
Ashland Eagles Top Mount Union on Senior Night
On Friday, Jan. 16, Ashland University hosted Mount Union for their final home meet of the season. The Eagles celebrated their seniors with a definitive sweep of the Purple Raiders at Messerly Natatorium.
Team Scores:
-
Men: Ashland 130, Mount Union 107
-
Women: Ashland 162, Mount Union 80
The Eagle women were particularly dominant, winning by over 80 points. The meet provided a platform for the team to showcase its depth in the relay events and breaststroke, where they have consistently ranked among the top of the G-MAC this winter.
Malone Pioneers Face Tough Road Test at Gannon
The Malone Pioneers traveled to Erie, Pennsylvania, on Jan. 17 for a competitive tri-meet against Gannon and Oberlin. While the host Golden Knights took the team titles, the Pioneers used the meet to test their speed against high-level non-conference competition.
Team Scores (vs Gannon):
-
Men: Gannon 229, Malone 43
-
Women: Gannon 211, Malone 59
Despite the team scores, the Pioneers recorded several season-best dual meet times as they enter their final taper phase. The program now shifts its focus toward the G-MAC/MEC Championships scheduled for early February.