The Carthage College women's swimming team opened its 2009-10 season on Saturday, Oct. 31 with a 144-118 loss to Hope College at the Koenitzer Aquatic Center in Kenosha, Wis.  Carthage's Amanda Croix (Jr., Bradley, Ill./Bradley-Bourbonnais) won three events, taking first place in the 50 freestyle (23.83), the 100 freestyle (52.78) and the 200 freestyle (1:55.35).  

Michelle Pelka (Jr., Elgin, Ill./Elgin Academy) won both the 100 butterfly (59.66) and the 200 individual medley (2:15.82), while finishing second in the 200 butterfly (2:10.65).  Lisa Tiltges (Jr., St. Charles, Ill./Aurora-Rosary) won the 100 breaststroke (1:11.21) and finished second in the 500 freestyle (5:34.39).  Jensena Paul (So., Portage, Wis.) was second in the 100 backstroke (1:04.67), as was Maggie Knowles (Fr., Lockport, Ill./Lockport Township) in the 200 breaststroke (2:36.67).  

Courtney Boothe (Jr., Moline, Ill.) was third in the 1,000 freestyle (11:48.60), as was Amy Mueller (Jr., Hartland, Wis./Arrowhead) in the 100 breaststroke (1:11.91), Sammy Jo Mahler (Jr., Des Plaines, Ill./Maine West) in the 50 freestyle (25.84) and Michelle Mulhall (Sr. Orland Park, Ill./Sandburg) in the 200 breastroke (2:37.38).  Carthage travels to Lake Forest, Ill., on Friday, Nov. 6 to take on Lake Forest College in a 6 p.m. dual meet at the Sports Center.