Women's Swim/Dive Opens Season at Nationally-Ranked GVSU

Sophomore Sara Kraus and freshman Katie Hermann both win events for the Flying Dutch.

Freshman Katie Hermann

Sophomore Sara Kraus and freshman Katie Hermann both clocked first-place performances for the Hope College women's swimming and diving team at Grand Valley State University on Saturday during a matchup of nationally-ranked teams.

The Flying Dutch are ranked 13th in NCAA Division III; GVSU 18th in NCAA Division II. Grand Valley won the meet, 189-88.

In her first collegiate meet, Hermann (Canton, Michigan / Mercy HS) won the 200-yard individual medley with a swim of 2 minutes, 11.34 seconds.

Kraus (Rockford, Michigan / Rockford) took first in the 100 backstroke by recording a time of 58.89 seconds and the 200 backstroke at 2:08.85. Kraus earned All-America honors in both events at nationals last March.

Hermann and Kraus swam the first two legs of the runner-up 400 medley relay. They teamed with senior Alyssa Kerkman (South Bend, Indiana / St. Joseph) and freshman Maggie Monroe (Eaton Rapids, Michigan / Eaton Rapids) for a time of 4:00.85.

Hermann also finished second in the 100 breaststroke at 1:08.86 and the 200 breaststroke at 2:29.50.

Hope placed runner-up in three more events.

Freshman Ashlea Swingewood (Carmel, Indiana / Carmel) took second in the 500 freestyle at 5:24.52.

Kerkman went 59.93 seconds in the 100 butterfly for second.

In the 400 freestyle relay, freshman Greta Gidley (Franklin, Michigan / Mercy), junior Delaney Wesolek (Bay City, Michigan / John Glenn), Monroe and freshman Laurel Wasiniak (Northville, Michigan / Northville) finished second at 3:43.08.

Hope's next meet is on Friday, Oct. 21, at 5 p.m. at the MIAA Relays hosted by Calvin University.

Print Friendly Version