For Franklin's swimming and diving teams, the second day of the HCAC Championships ended with both the men and women holding the high ground.

The Grizzly women, in search of a ninth straight conference title, extended their lead over the pack with a dominating day, while the men will head into Friday clinging to a slim 262-256 edge over defending champion Rose-Hulman. Franklin has 352 points on the women's side, comfortably in front of Rose (196), Anderson (180) and Transylvania (175).

"Great evening!" Grizzlies coach Zach Rayce said. "The team is overperforming, and I am very happy. Lots of swims to go, but we are doing awesome."

Thursday's action began with a Griz sweep of the 200-yard freestyle relay. The women's foursome of Elizabeth McKittrick, Landi Newcomb, Petal Sloan and Celeste Hollis finished in 1:36.73, more than 4.3 seconds ahead of the field, while the men's quartet of Zachary Jackson-Blaine, Will Johnson, Bryson Howe and Kaden Cummins went 1:24.22, beating Rose-Hulman by .57 seconds.

In the women's 500 freestyle, the Grizzlies did not secure the individual win but still stockpiled points with four of the top six finishers. Sophomore Macie McQuinn placed second in 5:18.08, followed by three freshmen — Carly Houchin in third (5:23.43), Harley Morris in fifth (5:27.67) and Amelia Hlebak in sixth (5:30.77). 

Sophomore Isaac Layton secured victory in the men's 500, going 4:39.99 to lead four Grizzlies on the podium. Freshman Keaton Stephenson was third in 4:42.80, Howe fourth in 4:43.10 and Johnson seventh in 4:53.28.

Junior Avery Tomlinson claimed her second gold of the meet and first as an individual, swimming the 200 individual medley in 2:12.40 to win by more than two seconds. Also reaching the A final were sophomore Bri Gogis (fourth, 2:16.29) and freshman Annie Jackson (seventh, 2:20.67). For the men, sophomore Sam Hittel was third (1:56.65) and freshman Christopher Mains was fifth (1:58.68).

The Griz women pulled a 1-2-3 sweep in the 50 freestyle behind Sloan (23.74), Hollis (24.08) and Newcomb (24.24); McKittrick was close behind in fifth (24.90). 

Jackson-Blaine repeated as the conference champ in the men's 50, winning comfortably with a time of 20.64. Cummins also medaled, taking fourth in 21.32.

In women's 1-meter diving, Franklin took the top two spots. Sophomore Alexis Fleming posted a score of 377.45 points to narrowly hold off senior Kaleigh Schuler, who totaled 376.80.

A dominant day for the women ended with a convincing victory in the 400 medley relay. Juniors Kat Lundy, Tomlinson, Hollis and Sloan torched the field by 21.98 seconds, finishing in 3:49.88. That time established new school and conference records and was just .16 seconds off the NCAA B cut.

The men's medley foursome of Johnson, Hittel, Mains and Jackson-Blaine was third with a time of 3:31.54.

Championship action continues Friday with finals in the 200 medley relay as well as the 400 IM, 100 butterfly, 200 freestyle, 100 breaststroke, 100 backstroke and men's 1-meter diving.