The Grand Valley State University men’s and women’s swim and dive team competed against Hope College and the University of Indianapolis this weekend, and three pool records marked the end of the regular season for both squads.

The women earned victories over Hope and Indianapolis with scores of 151-86 and 140-91, respectively.

On Friday against Hope, the Lakers won 10 events to push past the Flying Dutchmen. Junior diver Karen Verbrugge (1- and 3-meter board) and senior swimmer Erin Kinney (200- and 500-yard freestyle) won two events each for the Lakers in the win. The Lakers also came away with a 1-2-3 finish in 200 freestyle, 200 individual medley and the 1- and 3-meter diving.

Verbrugge said she believed the meet exemplified how the team has united over the year and just how they have improved.

“Throughout the year we have all really come together, and we just push each other,” she said. “There is competition within the team, and many have close times so everyone pushes each other to get better.”

On Saturday against Indianapolis, the women used their depth to outmatch their opponent en route to winning seven events. Junior swimmer Toni Musto (400-yard individual medley and 200-yard breaststroke) and Verbrugge each earned two victories for the team.

GVSU head coach Andy Boyce said he noticed the team’s effort and hopes it’s there to stay come the GLIAC conference championship.

“We started off strong on Friday night and we kept it rolling through the day on Saturday,” he said. “Heading toward conference, now it’s about rest and seeing if we can keep those times.”

Meanwhile, the men earned victories over Hope and Indianapolis with scores of 151-86 and 140-91, respectively.

Against the Dutchmen, the Lakers won all 13 events, improving their record to 6-2 heading into the final dual meet. Senior diver Patrick VanDommelen (1- and 3-meter board) and junior swimmer Aaron Beebe (200-yard freestyle and 100-yard fly) paced the Lakers with two victories each. Also, freshman swimmer Michael Griffith led the way in the 50-yard freestyle with a time of 21.42 seconds.

Senior Jordan Schrotenboer said he noticed the team’s attention and focus in meets throughout the year and hopes it pays dividends come the GLIAC conference championships at Jenison High School on Feb. 9-12.

“We have a really young team this year, as most of the team is made up of freshmen,” he said. “We have had to stay focused and confident for every meet, as every race is a solid practice for the conference championship. We have stayed focused for every race.”

In the final meet Saturday against Indianapolis, the Lakers won 12 events and set three pool records, ending the regular season at 8-2.

Junior swimmer Raphael Santos set the first pool record of the day when he swam the first leg of the 400-yard medley relay in a time of 49.72. Schrotenboer set the next two when he swam the 200-yard freestyle in 1:41.01 and the 200-yard backstroke in 1:51.88. Each record was also broken earlier this season.

Boyce said he sees the hard work his team has shown throughout the year and he hopes it will pay off with a conference title.

“Their work ethic in practice has been really strong as everyone is really pushing each other,” said Boyce. “We went to Florida for a training trip over winter break and that has made a big difference. We hope to get some rest over these next couple weeks before conference and then swim well and dive fast.”

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