WEDNESDAY RESULTS

HOLLAND, Mich. – The Calvin women's swimming and diving team had a solid start to its MIAA Championships competition on Wednesday. The Knights took runners-up position in both the championship final and consolation round of the 800 freestyle relay Wednesday evening at the Holland Aquatic Center. The MIAA Championships are presented this year by Collegiate Credit Union

The pair of finishes gives Calvin 52 points in the team standings, 10 points behind rival Hope.

In the consolation final, the Calvin B' relay team of freshman Holly VanderWeele (San Antonio, Tx/Great Hearts Monte Vista North), senior Kristin Winkle (Grand Rapids, Mich./Grand Rapids Christian HS), freshman Sara Algera (Holland, Mich./Holland Christian HS) and freshman Avery Russell (Battle Creek, Mich./Battle Creek Lakeview HS) took second in a time of 7:59.53 that was good for 10^th place overall.

In the championship final, the Calvin A' relay team of junior Emma Merkel (Grandville, Mich./Grandville HS), sophomore Ella Andrews (Carmel, Ind./Heritage Christian HS), sophomore Zoe Poe (Bridgeville, Pa./South Fayette Twp.) and sophomore Maria Heeres (Holland, Mich./Holland Christian HS) took second with a season-best time of 7:38.12. Merkel led off the relay with an NCAA III B' cut qualifying time of 1:50.26.

COACHES COMMENT: "Really good night for our women's team," said Calvin head swim coach Dan Gelderloos. "Both relays did what they needed to do and came up with season-best efforts. Emma had a nice B' cut time leading off the championship finals which was an added bonus. We have some opportunities ahead of us. We are looking forward to the competition."
 
NEXT UP: Day two of the MIAA Championships begins with Thursday morning prelims (10 a.m.) with championship finals set for 5 p.m. at the Holland Aquatic Center.