Women's Swim/Dive Savors Senior Day Victory vs. Kalamazoo and Olivet

Sophomore Lauren Ryle, pictured.

The 12th-ranked Hope College women's swimming and diving team enjoyed a successful Senior Night with a tri-meet victory against Kalamazoo College and Olivet College College on Friday at Holland Aquatic Center.

Powered by nine first-place performances, the Flying Dutch defeated MIAA rivals Kalamazoo, 162-75, and Olivet, 176-35.

Prior to the meet, the Flying Dutch honored six seniors: Aubrey East, Allie Graver, Alyssa Kerkman, Paige Kuhn, Macey Mayer, and Ari Schafer.

"You want to say every group of seniors is special because they are. This is a uniquely special group," head coach Jake Taber said. "This is my fifth year here. This group of seniors took a chance on my first year here and we're here all the way through. I'm grateful for their trust in Hope College and the program here.

"I'm very proud of all they have been able to accomplish not just in the water but, more importantly, who they are out of the water and the impact they're going to leave not just at Hope and the program, but what they do upon graduation."

To open the meet, Hope's 400 medley of junior Ashley Geddes (Zeeland, Michigan / Zeeland East HS), freshman Madi Remenschneider (Holland, Michigan / West Ottawa), junior Maddy O'Donnell (Lincolnshire, Illinois / Stevenson) and sophomore Lauren Ryle (Grand Rapids, Michigan / Catholic Central) clocked the fastest time at 4:08.42.

The Flying Dutch swept the top three spots in the 100 freestyle: Ryle in first at 55.36, sophomore Sara Kraus (Rockford, Michigan / Rockford) in second at 55.50 and junior Madeline Tessin (Waxhaw, North Carolina / Marvin Ridge) in third at 56.08.

The Flying Dutch went 1-2 in the 200 freestyle: Tessin in first at 1:51.59 and freshman Bella Turner (Chelsea, Michigan / Chelsea) in second at 1:57.98.

Sophomore Greta Gidley (Franklin, Michigan / Mercy) won the 50 freestyle in 24.32 and the 500 freestyle in 5:12.89. Freshman Laurel Wasiniak (Northville, Michigan / Northville) was runner-up in the 500 at 5:18.99.

Freshman Ashlea Swingewood (Carmel, Indiana / Carmel) posted the fastest time in the 1,650 freestyle at 17:47.42.

In diving, sophomore Abby Koops (Grand Rapids, Michigan / Forest Hills Northern) posted two first-place, six-dive efforts with scores of 222.80 points on 1 meter and 249.40 on 3-meter.

To close the meet, the Flying Dutch won the 200 freestyle relay with junior Jess Estabrook (Carmel, Indiana / Carmel), freshman Katie Hermann (Canton, Michigan / Mercy), O'Donnell and Turner going 1:42.43.

"This is the first year we've done this format where all six MIAA schools are swimming the same event combination on the same weekend in different locations," Taber said. "I think it's nice to touch. It's fun to see where we are. Fortunately, we were able to look at a couple of different things today and be in a great facility. Hopefully, we'll get some people in some regular events before our conference championships and look where some opportunities might arise for other people."

Hope's next meet is on Saturday, Jan. 21, at 1 p.m. Central at the No. 4 ranked-University of Chicago.

Print Friendly Version