Hillsdale College Swimmers Set to Make History at 2025 NCAA DII Championships
Megan Clifford and Elise Mason
Two of Hillsdale College’s top swimmers are on the cusp of cementing their legacy in collegiate swimming history. Seniors Megan Clifford and Elise Mason are gearing up for their final NCAA swims, making it a definitive one that will go down as one of the best performances of a collegiate swimmer in history.
Preseason Predictions and Achievements
Both Clifford and Mason have established themselves as standout athletes, earning All-American honors over the course of their careers. Clifford’s signature event is the 200-yard butterfly, where she secured a seventh-place finish as a sophomore in 2023, earning first-team All-American honors and a 13th-place finish in 2024, gaining honorable mention All-American recognition.
Mason rose to prominence in the 1,650 freestyle. As a sophomore in 2023, she earned honorable mention All-American honors with an 11th-place finish, though she missed an eleventh place finish in 2024 finishing one place off from an honorable mention finish. She is seated at 22nd in the 1,650 freestyle and will be entering her fourth season.
Key Performances at a Glance
| Event | Swimmer | Previous Achievements | Current Seeding |
|---|---|---|---|
| 200 yd Butterfly | Megan Clifford | First-team All-American (7th in 2023), Honorable Mention (13th in 2024) | 21st in the nation |
| 1,650 freestyle | Elise Mason | Honorable mention All-American (11th in 2023), Missed by One Place (17th in 2024) | 22nd in the nation |
Unprecedented Achievements
Megan Clifford could achieve something unprecedented by earning All-American honors in three consecutive seasons, an achievement not yet attained by any Chargers swimmer. Meanwhile, Elise Mason is targeting another shot at All-American honors, adding to the historic legacy in their final season of competitive swimming.
Ever since 2023, Hillsdale College has been increasingly lifting up their swimmers, preparing them for campaigns such as the 2025 NCAA DII.
Future Trends of the Championship
It would be interesting to examine how future swimmers from Hillsdale College will compare to Clifford and Mason. Working with this data, athletes of the sport may have a more definitive strategy for winning a NCAA tournament, or advocate for better athletes or pit athletes against one another.
Did You Know? – Megan Clifford now seats next to top athletes such as Carla Anderez and Tregem Hepburn from Hampton Tiger sharks and Miami Dolphins respectively. Is Megan Clifford now ready to compete with the greatest athletes and reach unseeable heights?
FAQ
Q: When and where is the 2025 NCAA DII Women’s Swimming and Diving Championships taking place?
A: The championships will be held from March 11-15 at the IU Natatorium on the campus of IU-Indianapolis in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Elise Mason holds a record of an All-American finish
Q: Where can fans watch the Championships?
A: The event will be streamed live on NCAA.com, allowing fans from around the world to watch the action unfold.
Q: Will Megan Clifford be competing in multiple events?
A: Yes, while Megan has her signature events, and practices multiple times a week, she has qualified for the 200 yd butterfly, 100 yd butterfly and 100 yd freestyle.