The Calvin women's swimming and diving team had a solid opening night of competition at the MIAA Championships. The Knights took second in both the championship and consolation finals of the 800 freestyle relay.

The pair of performances puts Calvin in second place with 52 points, 10 points behind first place Hope.

In the championship final, the Calvin relay of freshman Kristin Winkle (Grand Rapids, Mich./South Christian HS), freshman Meghan Bengelink (Holland, Mich./Holland Christian HS), junior Natalie Fisher (Hudsonville, Mich./Hudsonville HS) and senior Hannah Brown (Palmyra, Va./Home School) took second with a time of 7:52.64. In the consolation final, the Calvin relay of freshmen Madi McNearney (Riverside, Mo./Park Hill South HS), Elyse Radawski (Jenison, Mich./Jenison HS), sophomore Abigal Merz (Flint, Mich./Powers Catholic HS) and senior Kara Bolger (Ada, Mich./Forest Hills Central HS) took second (10^th place overall) with a time of 8:02.08.

COACHES COMMENT: "Wednesday is always an interesting day with just one event but I thought our women handled the opening night well," said Calvin head swim coach Dan Gelderloos. "They got off to a good start and we are looking forward to tomorrow."

NEXT UP: Calvin will open day two of the four-day meet with prelims Thursday morning at 10 a.m. with evening finals set for 5 p.m. inside the Venema Aquatic Center.