Podcast Taping Swimmer (2023-06-29 12:48 GMT-4) - Transcript

Alan Babbitt: Welcome to the Hope Athletics Orange and Blue Podcast. My name is Alan Babbitt, Sports Information Director here at Hope College. This summer, I've had the privilege to talk with some of the special people on our campus who either exemplify or support our pursuit of academic success, competitive excellence and transformational experience. Today we're going to dive in with two remarkable people living that quest right now: senior swimmer Delaney Wesolek and head women's and men's swimming and diving coach, Jake Taber, Welcome to the Orange and Bluecat podcast, Delaney and Jake.

Delaney Wesolek: Thank you for having me.

Jake Taber: Thanks. Great to be here.

Alan Babbitt: Over the last three years Delaney and Jacob helped the Flying Dutch win three consecutive MIAA championships and compete at both NCAA championships that were held last March. Delaney swam on relays at Nationals and Greensboro North Carolina, where Hope finished 10th in the best finish in program history since 200, then in April Delaney was named Our Female Recipient of the Strong Be True Athlete of the Year Award. That's presented to a junior or senior that demonstrates the true essence of being a student-athlete and embodies the Division III motto of Discover, Develop and Dedicate. This student-athlete has to be in high academic standing with a minimum GPA of 3.5, has to play a significant role on the team, and is involved with Hope and the greater Holland community. Earlier this summer, we chatted with the male recipient of this honor, Dan Romano, running back on the football team who after grad, has begun his career as an engineer at the Gentex Corporation. Delaney is getting closer to graduating this fall. She begins her senior year at Hope, and when she is not in training or competing in the pool for the Flying Dutch, she's pursuing a major in nursing. Delaney. I'll start with you. Being chosen as the recipient of Be Strong. Be True. Athlete to the Year honor, what did that award mean to you? And what is the award in general, mean to you?

Delaney Wesolek: It means so much to me. I was very surprised to receive this award but at the same time, I was so grateful. Thank you Taber for nominating me for this award. I was just super thankful to be nominated to have my name up there next to Jenna (Mustapha), Ella (McKinney), and Delaney (Kirinovic).. I think the world of those girls. I am just so appreciative of the fact that I was nominated for this award and it was such a special night. I felt just happy to represent my team up there, also very happy because my family was also there that night. To have them there on that night and represent my team. it made it very special moment that means so much to me

Alan Babbitt: Jake,.what made Delaney stand out to be not only the winner of this award, but also a nominee with some of the terrific nominees that she mentioned. What made Delaney stand out in your mind for this particular honor>

Jake Taber: For me, it's funny to hear Delaney's to how shocked she was, I wasn't. And I think that has everything to do with Delaney. The experience that, we and our coaching staff have had working with her every day for the last three years is that she embodies what it means a Christian student-athlete. She's involved in her community. She continues to excel at a very high level. She gets it done in the pool, on campus, in the community and she isn't just involved in these things. I mean she's got leadership roles and she has a tremendously high impact in everything that she's involved with. When you look at what we're about, from a student-athlete standpoint here at Hope College, I can't think of a better representative than Delaney.

Alan Babbitt: Delaney in the pool, we'll start with the team's success, a great season, this past season, as we mentioned earlier, third in a row of MIAA titles and then going back to nationals and getting 10th in the nation, a really high finish. As you reflect upon that season and the journey, swimming is a very long season with training early to mid-September all the way up until if you're fortunate to be competing in nationals in midMarch, as a whole, what did last season mean to you and your teammates>

Delaney Wesolek: To start. I would just say I'm so proud of my team and I feel so lucky to be surrounded by such amazing ladies that are hard workers and I just feel very blessed to be a part of this team. We always start our season by having a big team meeting, and we make team goals for the season and one that's been consistent the past three years is we all want to be on top of that podium on Saturday night at the end of MIAAs, and just celebrating that win. To be able to actually reach that goal and celebrate, that moment was just amazing and just is awesome. I'm so thankful that I was able to do it with my teal. Looking at nationals, I feel very grateful to be a part of the group that was down in Greensboro. When I was being recruited here at Hope, that's something that Taber talked to us about was the fact that he wants to make this a top -10 program. And so, to actually be a part of that group, that was down there and was able to do that and hearing them announce Hope College Tenth place. It was just a moment. I will never forget and I'm just so proud of the team.

Alan Babbitt: She talked about, Jake, the team meeting. A goal to get to the top 10 in the nation is hard. There are a lot of great swimmers at the Division III level and a lot of great student athletes. What in your mind allowed, this team to be able to rise to that level of status in the NCAA Division III.

Jake Taber: That's one of those things that doesn't happen by accident, right? You need to do a lot of things, You need to catch a lot of breaks, and a lot of things need to go your way, but you also need to have great leadership and we did. It's interesting to be on the other side of the conversation here and to listen to, Delaney talk about the recruiting process and some of the things that, we kind of set out as, goals and envision for program success is moving forward. And that this has been a process and, Delaney's been a part of it, that journey and that climb and we don't get to where we are right now, without So I think it's that consistency and work ethic that she brings each and every day. I think it's that accountability. not only to herself and herself during the season away from the pool but also in the off-season.  I think she's the type of person that's not ever gonna ask a teammate to do something that she wouldn't do, herself. I think her teammate understands that and respects that. And, I think is motivated by that. When we kind of have a season come together the way that it did last year and for us to, go out and finish the way that we did, down at the NCAA championships, I think so much that as a testament to the vision and all the little things kind of lining up and not just in one season. But over the course, of the last few seasons and Delaney's had an awful lot to do with that.

Alan Babbitt: Delaney, you were a captain for this year's team. What have you learned about leadership and being in that role, which is a critical role for a team's success? 

Delaney Wesolek: I think that's a good question. I've been very grateful to be in a leadership position on my team, the past few years and I've been able to grow so much especially coming in as a sophomore and being put in a leadership position as a sophomore, I was able to just learn so much about what makes a team work. And especially a big part of that is just listening to your teammates and being a good friend and being present for you all around you. And I would say that that's something that I tried to really work on is making sure that I'm making connections with every single lady on the team and making sure that I'm there for them and can be a friend and, practice being a five-minute friend if you need it, I'm here for you. By taking that and making these relationships with the gals on my team. I feel like that's really helped me learn to grow as a leader and hear about the team needs and meet those needs and help the team. Get to where we set our goals.

Alan Babbitt: Delaney, are those relationships, perhaps the best part of being part of a team? I know there's, the achievement and what you're striving and when maybe you realize a goal but talking to student athletes like you, it just being a part of that team and those relationships and how you, go through a season together. Probably in the end means as much, if not more, than any of the single accomplishments, you might have individually or collectively.

Delaney Wesolek: Yes, for like you said before, we have a season that never really feels like it ends, it is a very long season and our team is constantly together and I feel so blessed to be surrounded by such hardworking ladies. they're my best friends and that is one thing from swimming I love the sport but I feel like the relationships and friendships and just family that I've been able to create through swimming have just been something. I'll just take with me for the rest of my life. So very thankful for that.

Alan Babbitt: I know swimmers in general, when you get to college you're familiar with a long season and that training process that's a little bit unique in that because there's just so many hours in the pool, what have you focused on? As far as being intentional and building those relationships amid a team to help a team have sustained success and constantly being able to cheer on and push each other.

Jake Taber: Alan, I don't think that's an exact science, across the board. I think we've got a lot of different personalities on the team. I feel like is a really healthy dynamic. I think Delaney would attest to that as well. But, I think what we're really trying to do is invest in people on the team as human beings, and to do that first, we'll talk a little bit about how swimming really is the thing that has brought us all together. And it's really what we have in common but our biggest work here, over the course, of the four years that people are in school, is to challenge them to be better and more well-equipped to go out and positively impact the world when they graduate and what that looks like for, one person compared to, the person that's going before after them in the lane, might be a very different path. And, I think when we have the ability to sit down and get to know people throughout the recruiting process. And then once they arrive and step foot on campus and, really get a sense as to, who they are and what they're about. But then also understanding, where they want to go and what their, goals and objectives are, beyond the pool. It makes it a lot easier to kind of tie in everything, at the pool as well. And, that's a balance I suppose any coach, you do better with some than others but that at least becomes the objective for us.

Alan Babbitt: Delaney when did swimming become your sport? Was it early on? I mean when did you start, in the pool, and then compete competitively? There's a transition, I think in a young person's life, where it goes from, one of the sports to you, do to the one, you really want to focus on it, take us through that, process and how swimming became a passion in your life?

Delaney Wesolek: So when I was little, I definitely struggled to find my thing. My first love was basketball. I come from a basketball family, but I wanted to find something else to do alongside basketball. And so, I even tried competitive dance and they were not my thing. I was definitely struggling to find my thing, and then it wasn't until I was 10 years old. I was watching the 2012, London Olympics, and thank goodness. Swimming was on that night. I was watching. Missy Franklin just looked like she was having the time of her life and this looks so much fun. I remember turning to my parents and being can I do this? that looks like so much fun. And then a few weeks later, they signed me up at our local swim club and threw me in the pool not knowing anything about swim. And I haven't stopped swimming. Since I fell in love with this sport, it became my happy place. My dad always says that swimming is my meditation. If I'll be having a bad day. I'll go to practice and I'll leave practice, a totally different person. Just feeling super happy. Just, it's definitely somewhere where I find peace and joy, especially in the process and practice and then when it came time to decide. If I wanted to send the college, I decided to focus on swim and stop playing basketball, at the end of my sophomore year. I just focus on some for a while and was super excited to come to Hope and check out what Hope was and luckily, it all worked out, especially with being a nursing student and swimming as well. That was something that as I looked other places was kind of unheard of, but whenever I came and talked to Taber, he was like we can do this. we will make it work and that's definitely been true. And I'm very grateful for that as I balance both nursing and swim here at Hope.

Alan Babbitt: I should mention shout out to Bay City where you're from and right, John Glenn High School, if I am, I remembering correctly. Got a shout out to John Glenn.

Delaney Wesolek: Yes, yes.
Alan Babbitt: Jake, as a competitor. how would you describe her in? Is there a race that comes to mind when you think about her? just what first comes to your mind when you think about Delaney in the pool in a meet?

Jake Taber: Yeah. I think there are probably two that come to mind more than any other Delaney. I don't know if you know what's coming right now but …

Alan Babbitt: She's smiling. So I'm looking forward to it.

Jake Taber: We've got a laundry list to choose from here, I mean, she's been an eight-time MIAA champion in five different individual events. She's all over all-time top 10. She's an MIAA record holder. I mean, she's a national qualifier, but I think that the two that kind of jump out to me, the first one is her freshman year. we had some more in an orange and blue inner squad. And, we had the captains, The lineup and, Delaney was a little bit of an unknown. And, we were swimming some off-distance and just trying to have some fun and they put her in the butterfly event and let's just say, we were pretty sure that Delaney was a freestyle or backstroker and that kind of confirmed that on the coaching side of things. But no, I think for me really the one that stands out. More than any other. we talk about Delaney just being a fierce competitor and stepping up onto the block and owning, every opportunity she has, would be her sophomore year on Thursday night of the MI double a championships. When she anchored the 400 medley relay fantastic split for her. But, it was more than that, It was going into that race knowing that the relay has a chance to qualify for the NCAA championships and that relay has a chance to win an MIAA title. Also, in that event, there were two other relays that had a chance to do the same thing. When Delaney stepped up to anchor that medley relay, we were in a great spot and she was just so clutch closing it out and, my double a record, national qualifying time. it was really special and to me, that's just one of those things I think I always be able to hold on to because she hit the water and took off and I think Jolly and I just kind of took a deep breath and smile, because Delaney was there and she had it covered. So it was great.

Alan Babbitt: Part of sport is pressure you're trying to do your best in a moment, sometimes pressure can be overwhelming and then sometimes it seems like it's not in there. What have you learned about managing your own mind and not getting in your way? Because that can be a big part of sports. sometimes we just get in our own way. Instead of just enjoying the moment, what have you learned about? Kind of navigating that and so that you can have your best performance?

Delaney Wesolek: I would say, maybe this sounds a little surprised off, but I would say that I kind of love working under pressure. I love anchoring realize that's one of the things they're definitely enjoyed but something that helps me perform the way I want to under those moments of pressure would be just trusting the fact that, I prepared for this moment and that my coaches have prepared me for this moment and I've put the work in. And now I have this sticker on the back of my phone and God is saying it's handled. And I remember a moment, in my freshman year I went up and asked Taber for feedback or some advice before I swam at leaks and he just said, Look at the back of your phone. it's handled like God has got you, and you've worked for this moment and just really leaning into that and finding peace and the fact that My coaches and my teammates have helped me prepare for this moment and that I'm ready and just really trusting that idea.

Alan Babbitt: Obviously swimming is part of your identity here at Hope, but you're also a nursing student, which is equally demanding a major as well. Where did you realize nursing is what you had a calling for?

Delaney Wesolek: I realized that a young age that I wanted to be a nurse and go into nursing. I'm very close to my grandparents and they were out of the hospital a lot when I was little. So I was constantly visiting the hospital, but especially when I was in eighth grade, I realized that I wanted to go into nursing and I think this was the case because my grandpa got very sick that year. And so as we were navigating the doctor's appointments and going to different hospitals and going down to Henry, Ford one thing that was consistent throughout that whole process was the care. And compassion that the nurses provided not only for my grandpa but for my family, as a whole and just feeling their impact and their love and their care. During this time of many unknowns, I just realized, I want to do that one day for other people because they impacted my life so much during that time. And so, in high school, I had the opportunity to volunteer at some of my local hospitals. And that really reaffirmed for me, that nursing is something that I want to go into and so luckily, I was accepted into Hope's nursing program my freshman year and it's just been amazing. And I'm so thankful for the Hopes Nursing Department because they truly want me to thrive both in the classroom and the clinical setting as much as they want me to thrive in the pool, and there their support me and even our coaching staff too. that's something that I'm so grateful for is, because swimming is hard and being a nursing student is hard and just being a student athlete in general, is really hard, but definitely thankful for Taber and Jolly, and for helping me navigate being the best person. I can do both in the pool and in the classroom. So,

Alan Babbitt: Can you take me through an average day of a nursing student? I know I've talked to several student athletes different sports who are doing this and what you have to navigate through in order to meet the demands. I mean, Sports is demanding on one hand and then also studies are, no matter the major, but particularly one with nursing with clinicals and such as Take me through an average day when the semester is going on and what time do you average? Have to get up to get your day moving?

Delaney Wesolek: Typically I get up around, Mondays, I would say I'm at practice at around 6:00 and we would have, I think pure bar from six to six forty-five. And then I would get in the water and then swim for around two, two-and-a-half hours to make sure I got the morning workout in and a mix of the afternoon workout. And luckily, I had Alyssa Kirkman, who was also a fellow nursing student with me and by my side as we both navigated training, just a little bit differently than a typical practice schedule for Mondays, then I'd get out the pool and I would go to the hospital for clinicals, whether it be in Holland or Grand Rapids, depending on the rotation.  I would be there from around 12:30 to around eight at night. And so then I'd come home and do some more homework or any more studying than I can. And then Tuesday morning I wake up around 5:00 and make sure that I'm at the hospital by 6:45 7ish and then I would be at the hospital from around 6:45 until 2:30 in the afternoon and then go to practice from four to six and then go home and do homework. And make sure I'm keeping up on everything and really Monday. And Tuesday are the most challenging day to the week because those are our clinical days. So, the rest of the week is pretty normal. I would say with just typical practice schedule and classes, but Tuesday the heavy days of the week.

Alan Babbitt: Jacob, with all your team members kind of what their schedules are and what they're trying to do accomplish, how is Delaney been able to handle everything in your mind? What makes her successful that she's doing well as a nursing student? Then also as a swimmer for you,

Jake Taber: I think two things probably jump out more than anything else: her priorities are in check, she gets it so to speak but with that comes a tremendous time management skill set. And I think when you combine time management and prioritization, you can accomplish quite a bit, and at the college level and I would say nursing with, the clinicals and rotations and just a large chunks of time that need to be spent, at hospitals some of which can be right in our backyard and some of which are down the road a little bit too, can wreak havoc on an athletic schedule. And it's one of those things that we really feel like we figured out and found a way to support and get creative with, our nursing majors. Is it perfect? Probably not. Is it working for us? Yeah, absolutely. I think, because of those large chunks of time that are spent in the hospital. What those rotations you could certainly make the argument that pairing nursing with intercollegiate athletics maybe it's as hard of a combo there is in terms of, an academic major with sport and Delaney's done it really well.  I think she's probably fortunate to have people like Alyssa Kirkman that have gone through before. But when you look at the nursing majors on our roster that are underclassmen right now and we're coming up, it's really easy to point to Delaney and say, Hey, this is how it's done and done really well. she continues to find her name on the Dean's list every semester and she continues to, thrive and perform, athletically while also being involved in, some things around campus and maintain great relationships with repairs. So I think for me's like I said, it's prioritization and time management and she does a fantastic job with both of those

Alan Babbitt: Delaney, what have you learned about time management? Was that something when you came to hope? That was a strength for you? Or is that something that you've learned? at that and been able to raise the level for that because that's probably one of the keys to life is just figuring out how to manage to do everything you want to do it at the level you want? what have you learned about the keys to good time management?

Delaney Wesolek: For me, I would say I'm kind of old school in how I do my time management. My paper planner is my best friend and I rely on it so much. And it definitely keeps me in line. And I hold myself accountable by making my schedule, and I'm a big list person as well. That's something that Taber can even talk about whenever we have little meetings, I come in, I have my list and he's like, all right, what's on the list? Let's just get to it. And that's just kind of how I roll because I love crossing things off and just working off my list and using my planner and that's something that I did do in high school. But I would say when I got to the college level, it was definitely an adjustment itself with a different class schedule. That's different than what high school was but also just unique training schedules as well. That was definitely new and I had to learn how to navigate my time and how I manage that. So

Alan Babbitt: Or not only when you were freshmen you came to school in the middle of the pandemic that kind of had everything kind of, world around take us through that. What did you learn from that experience to kind of maybe, obviously we're on the opposite, I kind of exiting the pandemic so to speak. But what did that experience? Help you grow as a person?

Delaney Wesolek: It was definitely unique coming in the middle of a pandemic. It was unique coming into college and being an athlete. First of all, I didn't have access to a pool in the summer before coming here. And so, I swam the Saginaw Bay with a bunch of my best friends, and that's how I trained to come here. So, super excited. from athletic perspective, when I came here, and I finally had lane lines, and I had a wall and could work with an actual pool, and so that was a transition, but definitely it was one of those that was like this is nice is getting back to normal, but as far as coming in and wondering what my four years at, Hope would look like I will admit, it was a little scary little nerve-wracking, but being a part of Hope swim and dive and coming in with hopes and dive, definitely made the transition easier. I felt that once I got here, I immediately had 60 best friends that are people. I could rely on and call and help me navigate this time. My incoming class was very close because at the time all we really had was each other because we all live by each other and Kollen Hall and I would say the part that made this transition, easiest was having those relationships and forming those relationships with my teammates because We for example, got quarantine my freshman year and we all got sent home for two weeks, a big group of 15 of us and we zoomed every single night and had dinner together and just those bonds. And those moments really made amount a time of unknowns just it gave me some peace and just knowing that I was creating relationships here and that definitely helped me navigate coming into Hope during a pandemic.

Alan Babbitt: Jake, you have some freshmen coming in this year and then next year, there's always a group but what would you hope that people that are swimmers that are coming in that in divers, they could learn from Delaney just her experience as a student-athlete and as a role model.

Jake Taber:  I think there are a few things one, She said it earlier, the pools are a happy place, We want people that are  part of this family to love what they do and, I think there's value in the right experience. making sure that we're part of this, for the right reasons. I think when you extend that a little bit further, I mean, just that last question that you asked her, find the right group, find your people, the story about dinner together every night for two weeks over Zoom, it was a great one but also a testament to, I think the team dynamic and the relationships that Delaney's been able to build here open, specifically within our team. So, I would want to certainly encourage that as well. But, also, make sure why you're here and that your priorities are exactly where they need to be. And, when you look at, I guess the combination of those things, you can look right at Delaney and know that there's a great example of how to do these things and do them all really well.

Delaney Wesolek: Thank you, so kind, thank you.

Alan Babbitt: in addition to swimming, and nursing, if that didn't fill your schedule up, you've done a lot of other things as well here on campus, and I wanted to touch on a few of them and see from you. I know you're going on a seed trip to Zambia later this summer. You did a May term in Alaska and you've been involved with Team 43. I guess first talk about, that another challenge of being a student-athlete is there are other opportunities that maybe schedule-wise might be a little easier for others. How do you find that balance of having the whole college experience and not just two things that you can concentrate on, but being able to enjoy other things and being a normal college student and taking advantage of some educational opportunities that are outside the classroom?

Delaney Wesolek: So when I was in high school, I was very involved in things in my school and in my community and that was something that I definitely wanted as I looked to where I was going to spend my next four years in college. And when I came to hope that was just something that definitely caught my eye, was the fact that there are opportunities, no matter what you're interested in or what you're doing, whether your student-athlete or just a student or doing a hard major, there are so many opportunities to get involved. And I was like, I want to do that. I want to be a part of as many things that I can hear throughout my time at Hope. And so it was a little hard at first coming into the pandemic and getting involved and things because life was not normal. It was just very different, but at the same time, I had to push myself to kind of, get out of my comfort zone and put myself out there and try new things. And so a good example of that, I would say was when I was a freshman, I want to be a part of Dance Marathon, and I interviewed for a few committees and I didn't really work. Shout out to my roommate Maggie because she had to listen to me go through so many little interviews throughout that time, but I was just persistent in knowing that. I want to be involved in things involved on campus and had these experiences that I heard about when I was being recruited and looking at hope and taking visits here. And so, luckily, it all worked out and I was able to be a part of hospital relations and part of Dance Marathon. Tthat's just been a great organization to be a part of, but I would say, I would just looking back and looking at my time at Hope, I'm very thankful for the opportunities that have been presented and just the hope experience that I've been able to have even coming in through a pandemic and just really grateful for everything, Hope has to offer.

Alan Babbitt: Tell us about Team 43 and why that's something that's important to you.

Delaney Wesolek: Team 43 is something I'm very proud of. It is essentially a student-athlete organization that Talks about mental health and mental wellness, and how to navigate being a student-athlete. And the struggles that may come with that, it all started at the end of my sophomore year, mental health, and mental, wellness, is something that's very important to me. And at the end of my sophomore year, I felt that there was a time where just in the news, I heard of many different student athletes from the country committing suicide and you heard about it at Stanford. You heard about it, Michigan. And I felt like we needed to have a conversation about it here at Hope. I would read these. Stories about who these people were and I would relate to them be like, my gosh that sounds like people on my team and yet just reminded me that we're all going through something and maybe struggling with things that people don't know about and I realized that we should have a conversation about this. So I talked to Taber about how can we get the ball rolling. Having talked about mental health and mental wellness, as a student-athlete and the struggles that come with that. And luckily, he helped me connect with Courtney Kust over in Athletics, and it was pretty special. Because at the same time, Ella McKinney was also having conversations very similar with her coach and so Courtney connected Ella and I, and we were able to create Team 43 with her help and Coach (Mary VandeHoef). And essentially we would meet up once or twice a month and it's open to all student-athletes to come and join, we have Team 43 representatives that help us, plan these events and help people just spread the word about coming to events. But essentially events would make alumni come in and share their experiences about their time at Hope and being a student-athlete and their own mental health struggles and how they've learned wellness through that. And so creating conversation in a safe place where Uou can talk about mental health and your struggles as a student-athlete and finding community within that. And that's just something I feel very proud to be a part of and I'm very excited to see where Team 43 coach in this next year.

Alan Babbitt: Jacob having that team 43, what does that as a coach to see that as something that can be a resource for your student-athletes? What does that meant to you to see that starting grow?

Jake Taber: I think first you look at, both the confidence and the passion for Delaney the reach out and kickstart that is, something I think on the coaching side of things that, unfortunately, we're seeing more and more of, I mean, mental health is a very, very real thing. And, there are sports or programs or coaches or student athletes that are immune to it. So, I think when we've looked at the way, Delaney and Ella, start chatting and then, how fortunate are we that institutionally this was something that Hope immediately got behind. And, we really just kind of see taken off and taking off very quickly. and I think we're going to continue to build on that and create, as many resources as we know how in terms of, if there's a student athlete, that is struggling, just that awareness of, hey, this is here and this is in place and, I think, to Delaney's point, you're not alone and this is something that can be very relatable, even at the most basic levels, into anybody and I think we're grateful for that to be in place and for the initiative that these remarkable young women have taken, for us to be in the position that we are today.

Alan Babbitt:  I should mention that directly related to Team 43, but in a similar vein, I know the swim teams and dive teams' involvement Be; Better Invite that coming up September 29th first, meet of the season for the Flying Dutch and then the Flying Dutchmen. This year will be at the University of Michigan Wolverines, Hope, and Calvin on Friday. September 29th at 5 pm and that's another encourage anyone to and as I know Delaney and Jacob would learn more about Be; Better initiative as well. So check that out and do that. And lastly, Delaney. We like to give our subjects an opportunity to give some. Thank you. As I know you've mentioned a few people in the course on this podcast, but I want to give you an opportunity. I know probably starting with your parents and then anybody else just that help mentor you and help you grow to the woman you are today and here at Hope or whoever what are some of the things you'd like to give out as we close this podcast.

Delaney Wesolek: First off, starting with my family, I cannot thank them enough for all their support and their love. from the east side of the estate Bay City. So, I'm two and a half hours away and they've never missed a meet, they're always here and so thankful for their love, and support, and They balance my little brother, Sean, and our two schedules, and they're always there for us and I cannot thank them for everything that they do for me. also thanking Coach Taber and Coach Jolly for all their support. I can't imagine what my time at Hope would have been without them. I'm just so thankful for the two of them and for their trust and love and support and the fact that they pushed me to be a better person in and out of the pool, and I'm thankful definitely the nursing department here at Hope. They are just amazing. I'm so thankful for all my professors and Like I said before, they definitely want me to be the best, I can be in the classroom and the clinical setting, but they also support me in the pool and navigating my schedule with missing class for meats and I just am very thankful for the support of the nursing department has given me throughout my time at Hope. And lastly, I definitely need to thank my teammates. They are my people. They're my best friends, they make going to practice every day the best part of my day. I look forward to my time in the water with them and hang out with them but especially my housemates and my roommates. They Are the best. I can't thank them enough for dealing with me when I come home, really, late from the hospital and stay up late to study and then get up in the morning with them at five and 5:30 and go to practice. they're my people and I'm so thankful for their support and that I was able to meet them here at Hope.

Alan Babbitt: I will say as well, thank you to you, Delaney, for not only joining us today on the Orange and Blue Podcast but also being a shining light here on campus grateful for that. Thank you, Jake, for joining us today and talking a little bit about her, as well as our wonderful swim/dive program. And I want to thank everyone for listening today, on the Orange and Blue podcast, I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did. And if you haven't subscribed yet, please subscribe or share the word about the podcast. And we're gonna have another episode in a couple weeks as we enjoy this summer and pretty soon. We're gonna have student-athletes back on campus, and life will feel normal again here on Hope College. So, thanks everyone, and Go Hope!