by Eva Dean Folkert
The Hope College men's swimming team received three winning performances on the first day of the Wheaton (Illinois) Invitational on Friday.
Freshman Bailey Smith of Battle Creek (Lakeview HS) claimed first place in the 500-yard freestyle with a time of 4:38.26, junior Daniel Keith of Saline (Saline HS) won the 100-yard freestyle in 45.59, and the 800-yard freestyle relay team of Keith, Smith, freshman Brant Assink of Holland (Holland Christian HS), and freshman Gabe Boonstra of Hudsonville (Hudsonville HS) was victorious with a time of 6:50.01.
Additionally, in leading off the 400-yard medley relay, Keith set a new school record in the 100-yard backstroke with a time of 50.45, bettering Nick Hazekamp's mark of 50.77 set in 2013. The medley relay team of Keith, Smith, Boonstra and freshman Jack Muller of Queensland, Australia (Meridan State) took fourth with an overall time of 3:25.40.
The Flying Dutchmen are in fifth place with 225 points after the first day of competition in the seven-team Wheaton meet
Other Hope finals finishers on Friday were:
- Muller in fifth place in the 100-yard breaststroke clocking in at 58.14;
- Assink in seventh place in the 500 free with a time of 4:46.19; and,
- Boonstra in seventh place in the 100 free in 50.03.
Hope continues competing in the Wheaton Invitational on Saturday, December 7. Prelims are at 10 a.m. CST and finals at 5 p.m. CST.
