Dive into Excellence: Introducing the Holland Sentinel All-Area Girls Swim and Dive Team!

Introducing the Holland Sentinel All-Area Girls Swimming and Diving Team, headed by Swimmer of the Year Madison Ensing from Zeeland.

Meet the athletes:

SWIMMER OF THE YEAR

Madison Ensing

TEAM: Zeeland

GRADE: Junior

SWIMMING ACHIEVEMENTS: Clinched the Division 1 state championship in the 50-yard freestyle (22.94) and the 100 freestyle (50.11). Contributed to all-state relays.

COACH’S INSIGHT: “Madi emphasized her race techniques and the finer points of sprint events, resulting in her personal best times and two state championships in the 50 and the 100 free. She also assisted our medley and 400 free relay in attaining all-state accolades.” – Drew Scheerhorn

ALL-AREA FIRST TEAM

Sofie Bak

TEAM: West Ottawa

GRADE: Sophomore

SWIMMING ACHIEVEMENTS: Secured 14th place at the D1 state competition in the 50 free (24.66) and participated in all-state relays.

COACH’S INSIGHT: “Sofie had an outstanding sophomore year, scoring at the state meet in the 50 free. She is a very technically proficient swimmer with an exceptionally bright future.” – Steve Bowyer

Makenzie Baldwin

TEAM: West Ottawa

GRADE: Senior

SWIMMING ACHIEVEMENTS: Claimed the D1 state title in the 100 backstroke (56.06). Also placed sixth in 200 free (1:54.46) and was part of all-state relays.

COACH’S INSIGHT: “Makenzie concludes an impressive high school tenure with a Division 1 state championship in the 100 back. She has been an exceptional leader for our program and will achieve great things as a student-athlete at Hope.” – Steve Bowyer

Baylee Davis

TEAM: West Ottawa

GRADE: Senior

SWIMMING ACHIEVEMENTS: Achieved fifth place in the 500 free (5:09.85) and tenth in the 200 free (1:55.05) at the D1 state meet. Contributed to all-state relays.

COACH’S INSIGHT: “Baylee elevated her swimming capabilities this season, scoring at the state meet in the 200 free and receiving all-state recognition in the 500 free. Remarkable and well-earned progress since her junior year.” – Steve Bowyer

Sadie DuBois

TEAM: Holland Christian

GRADE: Junior

SWIMMING ACHIEVEMENTS: Placed 11th at the D3 state meet in diving.

COACH’S INSIGHT: “Sadie diligently worked on improving the finer aspects of her dives this season. Through her efforts, she achieved a top 16 finish at the Division 3 state meet, landing in 11th place. Sadie is a fantastic young woman dedicated to being her best.” – Diane Riemersma

Mallory Ensing

TEAM: Zeeland

GRADE: Freshman

WATER WORKS: Qualified for the state and participated in Zeeland’s all-state relays.

COACH’S VIEW: “Mallory had an outstanding freshman season. She demonstrated remarkable adaptability by swimming in nearly all events as needed by the team. Starting her high school journey with a complete lineup at the state, including the IM, 100 breast, and two relays was fantastic.” – Drew Scheerhorn

Ariyah Gettings

TEAM: Zeeland

GRADE: Sophomore

WATER WORKS: Secured fourth place in the 100 breaststroke at the D1 state meet (1:05.04). Also qualified for the 200 IM and contributed to all-state relays.

COACH’S VIEW: “Ariyah infused our team with fantastic energy throughout the season. Her input in the 200 medley and 200 free relay propelled Zeeland to a 5th place finish, and she also achieved fifth at the state in the 100 breaststroke. It’s incredible to think she was still an underclassman this year.” – Drew Scheerhorn

Sabrina Iverson

TEAM: Holland Christian

GRADE: Senior

WATER WORKS: Achieved 14th in diving at the D3 state competition.

COACH’S VIEW: “Sabrina dedicated herself to recovering from an injury mid-season. She incorporated more challenging dives into her repertoire, which elevated her performance in the top 16 at the state meet. She is a remarkable individual with a promising future ahead.” – Diane Riemersma

Natalie Lauritzen

TEAM: Zeeland

GRADE: Freshman

WATER WORKS: Finished ninth in the 100 backstroke (58.04) and participated in all-state relays.

COACH’S VIEW: “Natalie is another freshman who arrived and left her mark instantly. Regardless of her daily feelings, she persevered and it reflected with a ninth-place result in the 100 backstroke and two all-state relays. She has an exciting future in this sport.” – Drew Scheerhorn

McKinley Levandoski

TEAM: West Ottawa

GRADE: Junior

WATER WORKS: Contributed to all-state relays for the Panthers.

COACH’S VIEW: “McKinley was pivotal for our squad this season, specializing in sprint freestyle. Her season best performance in the 400 free relay was crucial for achieving a top 8 finish in this event.” – Steve Bowyer

Miriam Lopez-Koolhaas

TEAM: Holland

GRADE: Senior

WATER WORKS: Ranked among the leading sprinters in the region. Just narrowly missed the D2 state qualification in both the 50 and 100 free, and served as an exceptional mentor to the young, rebuilding Dutch team.

COACH’S VIEW: “Miriam has been a leader of our team for the last two years. Her positivity, enthusiasm, and encouragement towards her teammates are unmatched. She cheers louder and more passionately than anyone you’ve ever encountered. She always prioritizes her teammates.” – Tonya Book

Emme Meyering

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Zeeland

GRADE: Senior

WATER WORKS: Achieved 17th place at the Division 1 state competition in diving, securing 10th place at regionals.

COACH’S VIEW: “Emme returned from a concussion halfway through the season to finish 10th at regionals, enabling her participation at state. She ended just shy of the top 16, but her support for the team since the season’s start was remarkable. She performed wonderfully this season and will be greatly missed.” – Drew Scheerhorn

Molly Meyering

TEAM: Zeeland

GRADE: Sophomore

WATER WORKS: State qualifier, participated in all-state relays for Zeeland.

COACH’S VIEW: “Molly Meyering – Molly dedicated herself throughout the season and contributed to two of our relays at state. Her splits were vital for our 10th place finish in the 200 freestyle relay and a 4th place finish in the 400 freestyle relay. She is another one of our younger competitors who will emerge as a significant contributor for Zeeland in the next two years.” – Drew Scheerhorn

Mackenzie Mulder

TEAM: Holland Christian

GRADE: Freshman

WATER WORKS: Secured seventh place at the D3 state competition in diving.

COACH’S VIEW: “Mackenzie put in a lot of effort this season to incorporate more challenging dives into her repertoire. She is an exceptionally consistent diver, which enabled her to score in the top 8 at the Division 3 state meet this year. Mackenzie is a remarkable young woman with a very promising future.” – Diane Riemersma

Liliana Perez

TEAM: West Ottawa

GRADE: Senior

WATER WORKS: Was a state qualifier and member of all-state relays for the Panthers.

COACH’S VIEW: “Lili concluded an excellent career by earning OK Red all-conference accolades. As captain, she fostered team unity and spearheaded our Purple Power event to raise funds for cancer research.” – Steve Bowyer

Josi Popema

TEAM: Hamilton

GRADE: Sophomore

WATER WORKS: Finished third in diving at the D3 state finals.

COACH’S VIEW: “There has been significant growth and maturity this year. She possesses remarkable talent regarding the mental aspect of the sport. She’s managed to navigate through obstacles.” – Aaron Paskvan

Ruthie Ryden

TEAM: Holland Christian

GRADE: Senior

WATER WORKS: Finished sixth in the 200 IM (2:15.32) and 145th in 100 backstroke (1:02.05) at the D3 state meet. Member of all-state relays.

COACH’S VIEW: “Ruthie is an extraordinary athlete and a pivotal team leader. Her dedication to caring for her teammates is unparalleled. She displayed diligence every day, honing in on the minor aspects of her events. She experienced a fantastic senior year with numerous state qualifications and personal bests. I am thrilled to see what her future brings.” – Erica Slenk

Camryn Siegers

TEAM: Holland Christian

GRADE: Sophomore

WATER WORKS: Captured Division 3 state championships in the 50 freestyle (23.19) and 100 backstroke (55.69). Competed in all-state relays.

COACH’S VIEW: “Camryn thrives under the urgency of close competitions and tense races, always managing to touch the wall first. Her adaptability
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and skill to compete in any event represents a significant advantage for our squad. She is a motivating and modest captain, admired by the girls. I take great pride in her accomplishments and look forward to what lies ahead.” – Erica Slenk

Izzy Steele

TEAM: West Ottawa

GRADE: Senior

WATER WORKS: State qualifier in D1 for 200 IM and 100 breaststroke. Member of all-state relays for Panthers.

COACH’S VIEW: “Following an outstanding junior season, Izzy continued to shine this year, achieving her state cuts in both the 200 IM and 100 breast. She competed fiercely throughout the entire season and was a crucial element of our team’s achievements.” – Steve Bowyer

Anna VanDyken

TEAM: Zeeland

GRADE: Junior

WATER WORKS: D1 state qualifier in 200 and 500 free. Member of all-state relays.

COACH’S VIEW: “Anna crafted an impressive season with two individual qualifying times in the 200 and 500 free while also contributing to our relays finishing 10th and fourth at state. She demonstrates an exceptional aptitude for meeting her paces, and I can’t wait to see how she advances after her successful Junior year.” – Drew Scheerhorn

Alyssa Volkers

TEAM: Hamilton

GRADE: Sophomore

WATER WORKS: Achieved fourth place in 500 free (5:23.54) and sixth in 200 free (1:58.55) at D3 state meet. Member of all-state relays.

COACH’S VIEW: “What has impressed me the most is her emergence as a leader, even as a sophomore. She has embraced this responsibility and applied what she has learned to foster team development, which is fantastic to witness.” – Matt Oonk

Peyton Weenum

TEAM: Zeeland

GRADE: Junior

WATER WORKS: State qualifier in 500 free, member of all-state relay.

COACH’S VIEW: “Peyton is another long-distance swimmer who puts in significant effort each day. She made her state debut in the 500 free this season. It was exhilarating to see her qualify at OK White and then advance 16 positions at state with a six-second time drop. I’m incredibly proud of how she concluded her junior year.” – Drew Scheerhorn

Layla Winklepleck

TEAM: Hamilton

GRADE: Senior

WATER WORKS: Achieved 10th place at D3 state meet in diving. Secured regional title.

COACH’S VIEW: “Another exceptional year. I cannot praise her enough. She has demonstrated incredible versatility. She mastered the execution of multiple dives in different positions. We witnessed it all come together at regionals.” – Aaron Paskvan

SECOND TEAM

Sara Algera, Holland Christian

Jackie Brink, Holland Christian

Emma Brower, Holland Christian

Adeline DeVries, Zeeland

Adeline Garvelink, Hamilton

Ava Helms, Holland Christian

Charlee Hoover, Hamilton

Kennie Lewis, Holland Christian

Kiera Lewis, Hamilton

Maya Ludema, Hamilton

Payton Myrick, Holland Christian

Emma Reilly, Hamilton

Kayla Schippers, Holland Christian

Kiera Volkers, Hamilton

Olivia Zwiers, West Ottawa