It was a long weekend for the Milligan College swim team as they competed in the Appalachian Athletic Conference Championships. Unfortunately, the Water Buffs went into the conference meet with some of their teammates missing due to illness and many cases of the flu.
“We have been tapering, slowing down of pace, for about four days, which is not normal,” swim coach Kelly Essler said. “Usually teams taper for about two weeks.”
Even with all the challenges the swim team faced throughout the weekend, the swimmers managed to pull it together and take multiple podium finishes. The women’s team took third place overall and the men’s side took fourth. The Water Buffs managed to achieve 40 personal best times.
Freshman butterflyer John Will Hutcheson took home fifth place in his best race–the 200-yard butterfly.
“My first conference meet was a good experience,” Hutcheson said. “In the future I hope to finish in the top three in all of my relays or individual events.”
It was a meet of firsts for freshmen like Hutchinson, but it was a memorable meet of lasts for Milligan senior Emily Mark.
“We were very competitive this year,” Mark said. “We had swimmers race in almost every A Final and numerous placements on the podium.”
Some of the highlights for Mark were the team’s overall performance and her individual performance in the 50-yard freestyle.
“I swam my best times in the 50-yard freestyle and 200-yard freestyle,” Mark said. “I am really happy to be ending my career swimming the fastest I ever have.”
Overall, the Water Buffs dropped times in 105 out of 120 races and broke six school records.
After the meet, Essler was awarded Women’s Team Coach of the Year. Freshman Maggie Halloran also received an award for Freshman of the Year.
Up next for the Water Buffs is the NAIA National Championships in two weeks. The swim team will continue to train hard for the next few weeks before they taper down and rest for nationals.
“In the future,” Essler said, “I would love to win conference with either the men’s team or women’s team.”