Grand Valley State University’s swim and dive teams hosted the University of Findlay on Saturday, Jan. 25 for senior night. The Lakers broke 13 pool records and secured a win for both the men’s and the women’s teams.
Senior night honors the team’s student-athletes for their accomplishments and dedication over the past four years. A ceremony took place before the meet, which celebrated the Lakers’ 14 seniors. GVSU fans gathered at one end of the pool, creating a tunnel for every senior to run through and be recognized.
“It’s their last time to perform in our home pool,” said head coach Andy Boyce. “They’re trying to give everything they’ve got on the last swim and it showed a lot today, from their effort level to their performance.”
After the ceremony, it was time for the Lakers to make history. The Lakers and the Oilers were no strangers to one another. Since 2015, the Lakers have been on a 12-matchup winning streak against the Oilers. Averaging 180.04 points per meet, the streak is the longest win streak for the Lakers.
Kick-starting the record-breaking day, the women’s team blew the Oilers out of the water, 223 to 69. During the first event, the women’s 200-yard medley, the relay team broke the first pool record at 1:43:45. The team consisted of sophomore Vittoria Proietti, junior Sara Alvarez, graduate student Alysa Wager and senior Kiersten Harmon. Proietti broke two additional pool records in the 100-yard backstroke (56.23) and the 200-yard backstroke (1:59:83).
Displaying their leadership, GVSU’s seniors made their mark during the meet and set new records for the University. In the women’s 1000-yard freestyle, senior Kayley Gallagher took first place, touching the wall at 10:43:54. Wager broke a pool record in the 100-yard butterfly, taking home first place with a time of 55:41.
In the last women’s event, the 400-yard freestyle relay, the team set another school record with a time of 3:26:72. The team consisted of Harmon, junior Linda Frick, junior Angelica Angilletta and junior Lucy Hedley. Hedley broke three additional pool records in the 50-yard freestyle (23.36), 200-yard freestyle (1:48:83) and 500-yard freestyle (4:53:72).
Senior Maddie Kooistra dominated the boards, taking first place in the 1-meter dive with 289.58 points and the 3-meter dive with 264.23 points. Kooistra expressed that as a senior, the night was incredibly important for her.
“It means a lot,” said Kooistra. “Over the past four years being on this team, it feels like family, and seeing everyone supporting you is the best feeling in the world.”
The men’s team reciprocated the women’s success with dominant performances across various events, defeating Findlay 205 to 83. The first men’s event, the 200-yard medley relay, broke the pool record with a time of 1:28:48, and secured first place. Senior Aaron Dies, sophomore Andrew Goh, freshman Esteban Nunez Del Prado and junior Evan Scotto DiVetta made up the winning relay team. Additionally, the men’s 400-yard freestyle relay team with Scotto DiVetta, Goh, junior Carsyn Christoffel and senior Matt Bosch claimed first place with a time of 2:58:84.
Bosch broke two pool records and took first place in the 100-yard freestyle (43:95) and the 200-yard freestyle (1:36:73). Dies broke the pool record for the 100-yard backstroke at 48:49, and claimed first place. Additionally, senior Thomas Zoldowski took first place in the 200-yard backstroke at 1:47:82.
Junior diver Carter Wood swept the boards, taking first place in the 1-meter and 3-meter dives with scores of 300.15 and 280.05.
In the College Swimming and Diving Coaches Association of America (CSCAA), GVSU is currently ranked fifth in the men’s division and sixth in the women’s division.
“I would say (maturity sets the Lakers apart from others),” said senior Austin Millard. “The biggest part of this team is realizing that these relationships are deep. This is an important part of our life, and we’re all going through the mix of unknown together.”
