Greta Gidley is one swim away from joining an elite group of Hope College swimmers.

The junior from Franklin, Michigan (Mercy HS) earned the top seed for tonight's 200-yard individual medley women's final at the NCAA Division III Championships in Greensboro, N.C.

Gidley could become the fourth Flying Dutch swimmer to claim at least one national title in an individual event. Hope athletes have a total of 11 individual national titles between them.

Gidley would join Shelly Russell '89 (freestyle), Dawn Hoving '93 (butterfly) and Susan Looman '94 (backstroke).

During Wednesday's prelims at the Greensboro Aquatic Center, Gidley topped a field of 57 swimmers with a school-record swim of 1 minute, 59.79 seconds.

Gidley edged last year's national champion and top-seeded Sophia Verkleeren of Williams College (Mass.), who matched her seed time with a swim of 2:00.96.

Gidley will swim in lane four for tonight's final. The 200 IM is the fourth event of the session.

Sophomore Katie Hermann (Canton, Michigan / Mercy) qualified for the 200 IM consolation final.

Hermann posted a season-best time of 2:04.85 and finished 16th during prelims. In the finals, Herrmann will swim in lane eight.

Junior Sara Kraus tied for 18th during the 200 IM prelims with a swim of 2:04.98.

Hope advanced to the consolation final in the 200 medley relay.

The Flying Dutch swam the ninth-fastest time at 1:43.30 from Kraus, junior Lauren Ryle (Grand Rapids, Michigan / Catholic Central), Gidley and senior Delaney Wesolek (Bay City, Michigan / John Glenn).

Kenyon College (Ohio) edged Hope for the final spot in the championship final with a time of 1:43.18.

In the 50 freestyle, Ryle placed 35th after a swim of 23.83.