Elsah, ILL.  -- The Principia Women's Swimming and Diving team were denied victory by a mere five points. The team performed well earning them 82 while Illinois College's women won the meet with 86 points. 

The meet started off with a ceremony honoring the seniors on the team. Seniors Bailey Bischoff, co-captain Shelby Barner, co-captain Hunter Mehring, Zacher Lewis and Annika Erickson were recognized for their contributions to the swimming and diving team. There were many fans that cheered for the them from the stands. The show of support from senior administration, the student body and well wishers spurred the team on.

The events started off with the 200 Medley Relay. Bischoff, Barner, freshman Katie Lovegren, and sophomore Gwen Battram finished with a 2:13.53. Bischoff earned a season best with her 50 Back split, she swam a 32.05. Gwen earned a season best with her 50 Free split, she swam a 32.39.   

The next event was the 1000 Yard Freestyle event. Sophomore Allegra Pierce won the event finishing with a 11:38.79. This was a new lifetime best for Pierce and placed her on the Top 10 list, she is now in 8th place. The 200 Free event followed, and the women's team delivered several season bests. Battram swam a lifetime best finishing with a 2:33.71. Junior Amanda Loudon also swam a lifetime best finishing with a 2:31.60. Lovegren swam a season best with a 2:27.41. Next was the 50 Freestyle where Bischoff earned another season best with a 29.05. 

During the 1 Meter Diving - 11 Dive event, freshman Rachel Cook earned a season best with 139.80 points. 

The swimming events resumed with the 100 Backstroke. Bischoff earned yet another season best with a 1:09.93. The 500 Free event followed where Lovegren earned another season best with a 6:28.43.  

The dual meet ended with the 200 Free relay in which Principia entered two relay teams. The first team included Pierce, freshman Clara Newsom, sophomore Yasmin Mendoza, and junior Amanda Loudon, and they finished with a 2:02.36. The second team included Lovegren, Battram, Bischoff, and Barner, and they finished with a 2:06.31. 

This meet against Illinois College was the last dual meet of the season. The team will continue getting ready for the Liberal Arts Championships which will be hosted by Principia College. The meet will be from the 8th to the 11th of February.