Senior captains Christian Otteman of Zeeland, Michigan (East HS) and Trevor Wagoner are leading the Hope College men's swimming & diving team as they embark on the 2016-17 season.
Both are making significant impact on the Flying Dutchmen, head coach John Patnott said.
"I've heard nothing but compliments about them from their teammates," Patnott said. "They let the team know what's going on, what they need to do and in a positive way."
The Flying Dutchmen open the season on Friday, Oct. 21 by hosting the MIAA Relays at Holland Community Aquatic Center. The event begins at 6:30 p.m.
Doors open at 5 p.m. Tickets are available at the door and are $5 for the general public and $3 for MIAA faculty/staff and non-MIAA students.
Patnott is entering his 38th season as head coach of both the men's and women's swimming programs at Hope.
This season's Flying Dutchmen roster of 23 includes five seniors, six juniors, seven sophomores and five freshmen.
Senior diver Jean Luc Miralda of Tegucigalpa, Honduras (Honduras American) is Hope's returning All-Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association honoree from last season. He is a three-time All-MIAA performer.
Juniors Charlie Emmert of Grand Blanc, Michigan (Flint Powers) Kevin Franz of Mundelein, Illinois (Mundelein) are back as well. They were All-MIAA honorees in 2014-15.
The Flying Dutchmen are looking to improve on their third-place finish in the MIAA last season.
Hope returns four from the six who made the MIAA Academic Honor Roll last year: junior Ryan Johnson of Milford, Michigan (International Academy), sophomore Brian Simonich of Highland, Michigan (Milford), Franz and Wagoner.
Hope opens the season on Friday, Oct. 21 by hosting the MIAA Relays at Holland Community Aquatic Center. The event begins at 6:30 p.m.
After today, the Flying Dutchmen will swim two home meets at Kresge Natatorium and one home meet at Holland Community Aquatic Center during the 2016-17 season.
Hope is hosting the MIAA Championships on Wednesday-Saturday, Feb. 15-18 at Holland Community Aquatic Center.
The NCAA Division III National Championships on Wednesday-Saturday, March 15-18 in Woodlands, Texas.
Click here to watch a video interview with Coach Patnott.
