The Flying Dutch were literal road warriors on the opening weekend of the season, competing at three different venues. They opened the season at the non-scoring MIAA Relays hosted by Calvin University on Friday. On Saturday a split squad traveled for dual meets at Olivet College and at Hillsdale College against the host Chargers and Ohio Northern University. It was a good opportunity to involve in actual competition a Flying Dutch team that numbers 37 athletes on its roster.

 

AT OLIVET

The nationally ranked Flying Dutch (17th by the CSCAA) used their depth with seven different swimmers taking first place en route to a 133-106 victory over Olivet.

 

Sophomore Ashley Geddes (Zeeland, Michigan/Zeeland East High School), pictured right, was a double winner, capturing the 100 backstroke (1:04.02) and 200 backstroke (2:19.17).

 

Freshman Audra Eding (Stevensville, Michigan/Zeeland East High School) marked her collegiate debut by winning the 100 breaststroke (1:15.25).

 

Other Hope winners included senior Abby LaDuke (Holland, Michigan/West Ottawa High School), 1,000 freestyle (11:43.48); junior Macey Mayer (San Antonio, Texas/Johnson High School), 200 butterfly (2:24.91); sophomore Abby Mendels (Holland, Michigan/Holland High School), 50 freestyle (:26.17); sophomore Lindsey Case (Plymouth, Michigan/Mercy High School), 500 freestyle (5:35.94); and sophomore Maddy O'Donnell (Lincolnshire, Illinois/Stevenson High School), 100 butterfly (1:02.73).

 

AT HILLSDALE

The Flying Dutch were defeated by NCAA Division II Hillsdale, 165-128, and topped Division III Ohio Northern, 218-77.

 

With a diving corps that numbers six athletes, the Flying Dutch swept (1-2-3) both the one-meter and three-meter boards. Freshman Abby Koops (Grand Rapids, Michigan/Forest Hills Northern High School), pictured far left, was the winner on both boards, one-meter (233.30 points) and three-meters (235.55).

 

The Flying Dutch had two other double winners: senior Emma Schaefer (DeWitt, Michigan/Saint Johns High School), pictured second from right, 100 breaststroke (1:08.87) and 200 breaststroke (2:30.89) and freshman Sara Kraus (Rockford, Michigan/Rockford High School), pictured third from right, 100 backstroke (1:08.87) and 200 backstroke (2:05.12).

 

Next for the Flying Dutch will be a dual meet against rival Calvin University on Saturday, October 30, at the Holland Aquatic Center beginning at 1 p.m.