CCIW women’s swimming & diving teams return from break with strong performances
The College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) women's swimming and diving season has resumed following the holiday break, with teams posting notable performances in early January.
Augustana began the post-break schedule by winning both matchups at its home triangular meet. The team defeated Monmouth 163-81 and Coe 182-92, improving their season record to 5-2. Freshman Savannah Shapley set a new pool record in the 200-yard butterfly with a time of 2:19.53 and also won the 200-yard individual medley in 2:21.92. "Shapley – named CCIW Student-Athlete of the Week on Wednesday – also captured the 200-yard individual medley (2:21.92)." Kendle Mihm secured victories in both the 50-yard freestyle (25.16) and 100-yard freestyle (54.94), while Giselle Koonce won the 200-yard freestyle event. Presley Winters achieved a top score of 196.70 on the diving board.
Carthage claimed a dual meet win over Wisconsin–Oshkosh with a score of 181-117, relying on depth across its lineup. Sophomore Emily Belcik won two events: the 50-yard freestyle (25.92) and the 200-yard freestyle (2:01.12). Freshman Lyndsey Hackman took first place in both the 200-yard breaststroke (2:41.45) and the 200-yard individual medley (2:20.82). Mae Norman, another CCIW Student-Athlete of the Week, posted personal bests on both diving boards.
Carroll earned a road victory against Loras by a margin of 128-64, highlighted by Erin Fixen's win in the 1000-yard freestyle with a time of 12:04.67 and Alexandria Ostopowicz's leading performance on the one-meter board.
Illinois Wesleyan recorded wins in sixteen events but fell to Rose-Hulman, losing by an overall score of 149-131 last Saturday. Senior Natalie Porter was victorious in three races—the 200-yard freestyle, breaststroke, and individual medley—setting a career best in her IM swim.
North Central returned to competition against Illinois Tech in Chicago, led by Abigael Sheldon’s win in the individual medley and Ayla Pequette’s season-best performance in the freestyle.
Wheaton continues to lead most major categories within conference standings as mid-January approaches, with swimmers such as Tess Boyer holding top times across multiple events including freestyles, breaststrokes, butterflies, and individual medleys; Allison Henschel leading several distance freestyles; Aubrey Swanson pacing sprint freestyles; Savannah Jeffery topping backstroke sprints; and Olivia Wiebe leading longer backstroke events.
Teams will remain active through mid-January with Augustana traveling to Grinnell Invitational this weekend while other conference schools host or travel for additional meets.