State Meet Recap!

This was an amazing season for our program and something the team should be very proud of. We finished second in the state as a team, which is a huge accomplishment and shows how much hard work this group put in all season.

We also had some great performances at the State Meet. Charlie DeHaan won a state championship in the 11 dive, and Andrew Bengelink, Miles Stock, Greg Flermoen, and Jake Shoemaker won a state championship in the 4x100 freestyle relay. These were exciting moments and a great reward for all the hard work put in throughout the season.

Throughout the weekend we also had multiple school records and grade records broken. It was great to see our swimmers and divers continue to improve and reach new goals.

I am very proud of this team and everything they accomplished this year. It was a special season and a great group to be a part of. Thank you for allowing me to be your coach. It means a lot to be part of this team and to work with such a great group of athletes.

Team Banquet Monday, March 16

At Rose Park Elementry School

From 6-8pm

Please make sure to bring your team parka to the banquet so you can return it to me. If you have any tech suits, please return those as well. Athletes make sure to wear HC gear because we will take a team picture with our Trophies

Swimmers, please fill out this form as soon as possible
https://forms.gle/KdzGRfLVHo6CrZnf7

Thank you!

Week #16: 3/9-3/14

 Week 15 was another strong week as we continued preparing for the State Meet. Practices were focused and the team did a great job staying locked in and working on the small details.

Our team had a big week on the diving boards. Charlie won the diving regional and broke the pool record at Otsego High School in the 11-dive event, which was an incredible accomplishment. TJ also had a great meet and qualified for the State Meet. It is exciting to have both of our divers representing our team at the State Meet!

Overall, it was a great week for our program. I am very proud of the effort the team is putting in and excited to see what we can do at the State Meet.

Tickets need to be purchased online for both Prelims and Finals

Here is this week's schedule:

• Monday, 3/9: State Pool 3:15-5:15 pm @ HAC 

• Tuesday, 3/10: State Pool 3:15-5:15 pm @ HAC

• Wednesday, 3/11: State Pool 3:15-5:15 pm @ HAC

• Thursday, 3/12: State Pool 3-5 pm @ HAC

• Pasta dinner - more info later

• Friday, 3/13: State Meet

• Saturday, 3/14: State Meet

MEET SCHEDULE:

Friday, March 13 

• 9:00 am Facility opens to officials, competitors and coaches 

• 9:30 am Doors open to spectators 

• 10 am-12 pm Warm-up period for swimmers and divers 

• 12 pm-3:30 pm (approx) Swimming Prelims 

• 3:30-6 pm (approx) Diving Prelims Begin (Diving Preliminaries will commence immediately following the last heat of the 400 Free Relay.) 

Saturday, March 14 

• 9:00 am Facility opens to officials, competitors and coaches 

• 9:30 am Doors open to spectators 

• 10 am-12 pm Warm-up period for swimmers and divers 

• 12 pm-5 pm (approx.) Swimming and Diving Finals

I will send out an email in the next day or 2 with more specific info about the meet.

2026 MHSAA Boys Division 3 Swimming and Diving Championships Meet Packet

GroupMe
Please join our GroupMe to stay updated and connected with the team! All team information will be sent out via email, groupme, and / or the blog. Checking the blog and the groupme is a great way to stay updated on team info!
https://groupme.com/join_group/111951071/XFnw1s9a

Here is my contact info if you have any questions
Email: Blakeassink1@gmail.com 
Phone: (616) 834 - 1124

Week #15: 3/2-3/7

 Week 14 was a huge week for our team as we won our Conference Meet. It was great to see all of our hard work come together at the right time. From start to finish, we competed with focus and confidence.

We had strong swims across the board with multiple personal bests and great relay performances. When we needed points, our athletes stepped up. Our depth made a big difference, and the energy on deck during both swimming and diving was outstanding.

I am very proud of how we competed and represented our program. Winning conference is a big accomplishment, and this group earned it. I am excited to see what we can do in two weeks at our State Meet.

Here is this week's schedule:

• Monday, 3/2: Pool 3:15-5:15 pm @ Holland Aquatic Center (HAC)

• Tuesday, 3/3: State Pool 3:15-5:15 pm @ (HAC)

• Wednesday, 3/4: State ETS 7:15 - 8 am, Pool 3:15-5:15 pm @ HAC

• Thursday, 3/5: State Pool 3-5 pm @ HAC

• Diving Regionals @ Otsego Aquatic Center

• Friday, 3/6: State ETS 3 - 3:45 PM, Pool 4:10 - 5:15 PM

• Saturday, 3/7: 7:15 - 9:15 am

Second Shave Meet

Hosted by Holland - Tuesday, March 3 meet warmup starts at 5:30 pm and the meet starts at 6:30 pm.

• Even if you are not swimming in the meet, everyone has to come to the pool after school to turn in your equipment bag

• This meet is optional. If you want one last shot at a state cut, or if you want to swim an event you did not swim at conference.

• This meet will be hosted at the Holland Aquatic Center by Holland High School. Final Meet for those not making State cuts.

• I need to know what events you want to swim by Sunday evening (March 2nd). 

• If you are swimming in the meet, you must be at practice on March 2nd. If you are not at practice you will not be allowed to swim at the meet
  

• https://forms.gle/HoytFGUZwhJiDKMbA

GroupMe
Please join our GroupMe to stay updated and connected with the team! All team information will be sent out via email, groupme, and / or the blog. Checking the blog and the groupme is a great way to stay updated on team info!
https://groupme.com/join_group/111951071/XFnw1s9a

Here is my contact info if you have any questions
Email: Blakeassink1@gmail.com 
Phone: (616) 834 - 1124

Week #14: 2/23-2/28

It’s officially conference week; this is what we’ve been working toward all season. The hard practices, long weeks, and tough races have all led up to this point.

We wrapped up the regular season with a meet against Muskegon Mona Shores and came away with a strong win. It was a good way to build confidence heading into conference and showed that we’re moving in the right direction.

We are officially on taper now, which means the hard work is done and it’s time to start sharpening up, feeling fresh, and getting ready to race fast. The focus in practice has been strong, and the energy on deck continues to stand out. The way we support each other during swimming and diving is going to be huge this week.

I’m proud of everything we’ve done to get to this point. Now it’s time to trust the training, stay confident, and compete at our best. Let’s have a great conference week!

Here is this week's schedule:

• Monday, 2/23: Pool 3:15-5:15 pm @ Holland Aquatic Center (HAC)

• Tuesday, 2/24: Pool 3:15-5:15 pm @ Holland Aquatic Center (HAC)

• Wednesday, 2/25: State ETS 7:15 - 8 am, Pool 3:15-5:15 pm @ HAC

• Thursday, 2/26: Pool 3:15-5:15 pm @ HAC

• Pasta dinner and shave down info below

• Friday, 2/27: Conference! Info Below

• Saturday, 2/28: Conference! Info Below

Pasta Night

To give our athletes the fuel they need for our conference prelims, we will have a pasta meal after our practice on February 26 at Rose Park Elementary.
    - Pasta Meal at 5:45-6 ish

            - https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0D44ADA62DA3F85-62237699-preconference#/
    - Shave down after will last until about 8:00

            - Please bring razors and shaving cream for the shave down 

            - If you have longer hair, I would reccoment bring an electric razor to trim your hair before shaving with a razor

Conference Meet
Our Conference Championship is February 27-28.
Below is a schedule for that meet. I will update this as I get more information, including school absence permission for the 27th.

    PRELIMS - Friday, February 27

• There will be a bus. I will have more busing info later this week.
• Warm up begins at 10:30
• Stands open at 11:00
• Swimming Preliminaries begin 12:00 p.m.
• Diving Preliminaries & Semi-Finals to follow the end of swimming prelims (3:00ish). This is the first 8 rounds of the 11 Round Competition.

    FINALS - Saturday, March 28

• There will not be a bus
• Swimmers should be on deck by 10:10
• Warm up begins at 10:30
• Stands open at 11:00
• Swimming & Diving Finals begin at 12:00 p.m.

A Look Ahead:

Second Chance Meet

Hosted by Holland - Tuesday, March 3 at 6:30 - more info later

• This meet is optional. If you want one last shot at a state cut, or if you want to swim an event you did not swim at conference.
• This meet will be hosted at the Holland Aquatic Center by Holland High School. Final Meet for those not making State cuts.
• I need to know what events you want to swim by Sunday evening (March 2nd). 
• If you are swimming in the meet, you must be at practice on March 2nd
• https://forms.gle/HoytFGUZwhJiDKMbA

GroupMe
Please join our GroupMe to stay updated and connected with the team! All team information will be sent out via email, groupme, and / or the blog. Checking the blog and the groupme is a great way to stay updated on team info!
https://groupme.com/join_group/111951071/XFnw1s9a

Here is my contact info if you have any questions
Email: Blakeassink1@gmail.com 
Phone: (616) 834 - 1124