Ionia hosted Charlotte tonight in the annual Purple Meet for Ionia Community Awareness.  Ionia won 102.5-74.5 while the swimmers honored the survivors, fighters and the taken.  There was $353 raised for Ionia Community Awareness through tonight's meet events.

In swimming, Ionia took 1st and 2nd in several events.  In the medley relay the team of Abbye Wood, Madeline McGee, Josie Phelps and Anouk Demel took first.  The team of Eily Martinez, Maelys Bonafe, Sage Brown, and Calah Holman took second.   In the 200 yard individual medley, Anouk Demel took first, and Calah Holman took second.  In the 500 yard freestyle, Holman took first and Wood tied for second in an exciting race to the finish.  In the 200 yard freestyle relay, the team of Bonafe, Sydney Estep, Martina Sierra, and Bella Reisbig took first.  The team of McGee, Riley Browne, Alexis Burns, and Martinez took second.

Ionia had top finishers in several other races.  Josie Phelps took first in the 50 yard freestyle and second in diving.   Madeline McGee took first in the 100 yard butterfly and the 100 yard breaststroke.  Anouk Demel took first in the 100 yard freestyle.  Bonafe took first in the 100 yard backstroke.  In the 400 yard freestyle relay, the team of Estep, Wood, Holman and Bonafe took first place.  

During the diving break, there was a "toss the duck" to raise money.  Following the meet, there was a cannonball contest that was a lot of fun.  Many parents, friends, and siblings made a splash and brought a lot of laughs!  The night ended with the traditional purple shirt ceremony where the swimmers honored family and friends that have battled cancer.  

Ionia is now 2-0 in the CAAC Red conference and 4-2 for the season.  Ionia will travel to the Hastings invitational next Saturday.