Hope Teams Split With Rival Calvin (1/30/10)
Men's Results / Women's Results
Hope's swimming/diving teams split a pair of dual meets with rival Calvin on Saturday. The Flying Dutchmen defeated the visiting Knights 176-109 while the Flying Dutch were defeated 176.5-123.5. This concludes the dual meet portion of the season. The Flying Dutchmen were 5-0 against MIAA opponents and 5-2 overall while the Flying Dutch ended 5-1 in the conference and 5-2 overall.

Hope winners in the men's meet were Jeff Shade, 1,000-yard freestyle (9:59.54); Patrick Frayer, 200-yard freestyle (1:48.37); Phil Heyboer, 100-yard backstroke (:53.35) and 200-yard breaststroke (2:11.43); Brandon King, 100-yard breaststroke (1:00.10) and 200-yard individual medley (2:01.48); Brian Yount, 100-yard breaststroke (2:04.73) and 100-yard butterfly (:53.58); Cody Tozer, 50-yard freetsyle (:21.98); Ray Gaskell, one-meter diving (229.00) and three-meter diving (204.90); Aaron Welsch, 100-yard freestyle (:47.76); Mitch Ruch, 200-yard backstroke (1:57.24); and Andrew Rose, 500-yard freestyle (4:52.32).

Hope winners in the women's meet were Sarah Sohn, 1,000-yard freestyle (10:40.99) and 500-yard freestyle (5:15.42); Libby Westrate, 50-yard freestyle (:24.73) and 100-yard freestyle (:54.68); Katie Schewe, 200-yard backstroke (2:14.52); and Kate Williams, 100-yard butterfly (:59.32) and Ashley Jasperse, 200-yard butterfly (2:15.39).

Hope Teams Bow to Grand Valley State (1/22/10)
Men's Results / Women's Results
Both Hope swimming/diving teams were defeated by Division II Grand Valley State in a non-league dual meet on Friday. The Flying Dutch suffered their first defeat of the season 192-103 while the Flying Dutchmen bowed 199-92. The Flying Dutch are 6-1 in duals this season while the Flying Dutchmen are 4-2.

Hope winners in the women's meet were Sarah Sohn, 1,000-yard freestyle (10:44.87); Kate Williams, 100-yard butterfly (1:00.06); and Christina Vogelzang, 100-yard freestyle (:55.47). The only Hope winner in the men's meet was Cody Tozer, 50-yard freestyle (:22.25).

Hope Teams Second at Illinois-Michigan Quad (1/16/10)
Results
Both Hope swimming teams finished second in the Illinois-Michigan Quad hosted by Wheaton on Saturday. MIAA rival Kalamazoo edged the Flying Dutchmen in the men's meet 546-544 followed by Wheaton 432 and Lake Forest 273. Host Wheaton won the women's meet with 542 points followed by Hope 482, Lake Forest 347 and Kalamazoo 310.

Hope winners in the men's meet were Phil Heyboer, 1,000-yard freestyle (9:57.89); James Richardson, 500-yard freestyle (4:53.41); and Michael Huisingh, 200-yard breaststroke (2:10.32). Hope winners in the women's meet were Libby Westrate, 50-yard freestyle (:25.14) and Christina Vogelzang, 100-yard freestyle (:55.33).

Hope Teams Remain Unbeaten in MIAA Duals (1/8/10)
Results
Both Hope swimming/diving teams remained unbeaten in MIAA duals by defeating host Kalamazoo on Friday night. The Flying Dutch posted a 162-120 victory while the Flying Dutchmen gained a 148-139 triumph. Both teams are 4-0 against MIAA opponents. The Flying Dutch are 5-0 overall and the Flying Dutchmen stand 4-1.

Women: Sophomore Sara Sohn was a triple winner capturing the 1,000-yard freestyle (10:52.37), 200-yard butterfly (2:11.41) and 500-yard freestyle (5:20.18, season best). Freshman Libby Westrate was a double winner taking the 50-yard freestyle (:25.00) and 100-yard freestyle (:55.35). Other Hope winners included senior Christina Vogelzang, 200-yard freestyle (2:02.61)freshman Laura Cameron, 100-yard backstroke (1:03.60); freshman Sarah Krueger, 100-yard breaststroke (1:11.83); junior Alicia Tuuk, 200-yard backstroke (2:17.88); and senior Claire Piester, 200-yard breaststroke (2:35.98).

Men: Hope had two double winners. Freshman diver Ray Gaskell was a double winner on the one-meter (203.00 pts.) and three-meter (138.50 pts.) boards and senior Ryan Nelis won the 200-yard butterfly (2:00.93) and 100-yard butterfly (:52.56). Other Hope winners included sophomore Jeff Shade, 1,000-yard freestyle (10:06.19); freshman Nick Hazekamp, 200-yard backstroke (1:57.77); sophomore Michael Huisingh, 200-yard breaststroke (2:13.03); freshman Josh Grabijas, 500-yard freestyle (4:50.51); and senior Phil Heyboer, 200-yard individual medley (1:57.23).

Flying Dutchmen Win Wheaton Invitational (12/5/09)
Results
Hope's swimming teams competed at the Wheaton College Invitational this weekend. The Flying Dutchmen won the men's invitational while the Flying Dutch were third in the women's standings.

Event winners included senior Mitch Ruch, 100-yard backstroke (:53.00) and 200-yard backstroke (1:52.64); senior Christina Vogelzang, 100-yard freestyle (:53.06); and sophomore Sarah Sohn, 200-yard butterfly (2:09.49) and 400-yard individual medley (4:40.62); senior Phil Heyboer, 400-yard individual medley (4:01.07), and sophomore Jeff Shade, 1,650-yard freestyle (16:09.97).

Hope Teams Post MIAA Dual Wins (11/14/09)
Men's Results / Women's Results
Both Hope swimming/diving teams posted MIAA dual meet victories over Alma on Saturday. The Flying Dutch were victorious 128-68 while the Flying Dutchmen won 103-87.

Both Hope Teams Post MIAA Win (11/7/09)
Men's Results / Women's Results
Both Hope swimming/diving teams remained unbeaten in the MIAA duals by topping host Olivet on Saturday. The Flying Dutchmen were victorious 162-117 while the Flying Dutch won 159-106. Each team is 2-0 in the MIAA. The Flying Dutch are 3-0 overall and the Flying Dutchmen 2-1.

Hope Teams Have Busy Dual Meet Weekend (10/31/09)
versus Albion Men's Results / Women's Results
versus Carthage Combined Results
Hope's swimming/diving teams had a busy weekend hosting league rival Albion on Friday night and than travelling to Kenosha, Wisc. for a non-league dual at Carthage. Both Hope swimming/diving teams posted victories over Albion, the Flying Dutchmen by 140-90 while the Flying Dutch were 135-101 victors. The Flying Dutch defeated the Carthage women 144-118 while the Flying Dutchmen were defeated 133-129.

Hope Teams Post MIAA Dual Wins (10/30/09)
Men's Results / Women's Results
Both Hope swimming/diving teams posted victories over Albion in their MIAA dual meet debuts on Friday. The Flying Dutchmen defeated the Britons 140-90 while the Flying Dutch were 135-101 victors.

Season Begins with MIAA Relays (10/24/09)
Results
Hope's swimming teams opened their seasons by participating in the non-scoring MIAA Relays at Calvin College.

The Flying Dutchmen return a nucleus of veterans who will be seeking to repeat as champions of the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association for a third consecutive year and to be competitive on a national level.

Hope swimming and diving is directed by John Patnott who launched it as an intercollegiate program in 1978. Since its founding the Flying Dutchmen have finished first or second every season in the MIAA and scored points at the NCAA Division III championships every year except one and that was back in 1988. The Flying Dutchmen have won the MIAA championship 11 times in school history.

This year's pre-season roster includes 23 returning letterwinners comprised of 11 sophomores, three juniors and nine seniors. The team also did well at recruiting with nine freshman propsects.

Senior tri-captains of the team include Phil Heyboer of Zeeland, Mich. (Holland Christian HS), Ryan Nelis of Holland, Mich. (West Ottawa HS), and Matt Ray of Holland, Mich. (Holland HS).

Six returning swimmers scored at nationals last year. Senior Ryan Nelis was 14th in the 100-yard butterfly and 15th in the 200-yard butterfly, senior Mitch Ruch of Zeeland, Mich. (Zeeland West HS), was 10th in the 200-yard backstroke, and senior Phil Heyboer was 12th in the 400-yard individual medley. Senior Brandon King of Willowbrook, Ill. (Hinsdale Township HS); senior Mitch Ruch of Zeeland, Mich. (Zeeland West HS) and senior Aaron Welsch of Saint Peters, Mo. (Fort Zumwalt South HS) were members of relay teams that finish 11th in the 200-yard freestyle, 12th in the 400-yard freestyle relay; 12th in the 400-yard medley relay and 15th in the 200-yard medley relay. Also competing at nationals was sophomore Jeff Shade of Davison (Davison HS), 500-yard and 1,650 yard freestyle.

Five returning swimmers were All-MIAA honorees last year -- Heyboer, Nelis, Ruch. Welsch and sophomore Jeff Shade of Davison (Davison HS). Returning defending MIAA champions include Heyboer in the 400-yared individual medley , Ray Nelis in the 100-yard and 200 yard butterfly and Jeff Shade in the 1,650-yard freestyle. Nelis, who holds the MIAA record in both the 100 and 200 butterfly will be bidding for a fourth consecutive MIAA title in the 200 fly. Heyboer, the league record holder in the 400 individual medley, will also be bidding for a fourth straight championship.

Seven Hope records are held by current team members -- Jeff Shade in the 1,000-yard and 1,650-yard freestyles, Mitch Ruch in the 200-yard backstroke, Jeff Heyboer in 400-yard IM, and Ryan Nelis in the 100-yard and 200-yard butterfly and 400-yard IM.

Other returning letterwinners include sophomore Steven Ansilio of Western Springs, Ill. (Lyons Township HS), sophomore Patrick Frayer of Grand Rapids (East Grand Rapids HS), sophomore Michael Huisingh of Holland (Holland HS), sophomore Thomas Knecht of Grand Rapids Grand Rapids Christian HS), sophomore Benjamin O'Dell of Oswego, Ill. (Oswego Community HS), senior James Richardson of Mount Vernon, Ohio (Mount Vernon HS), sophomore Aaron Rittenhouse of Fort Wayne, Ind. (Homstead HS), sophomore Andrew Rose of Holland (Grandville HS), junior Clayton Summers of Zeeland (Zeeland East HS), senior Nicholas Stone of Westland (John Glenn HS), senior Cody Tozer of Sturgis (Sturgis HS), sophomore Trevor VanderHart of Caledonia (Caledonia HS), junior Austin Veltman of Ada (Forest Hills Eastern HS), junior Mark Waterstone of Holland (Holland HS), and sophomore Brian Yount of Franklin, Ind. (Franklin Community HS).

Hope Swimmers Enjoy International Experience
Hope College swimmers over the years have excelled at venues throughout the United States. This summer members of the Flying Dutch and Flying Dutchmen teams had an opportunity to test waters afar.

Coach John Patnott and 22 members of the teams travelled to Barcelona, Spain, site of the 1992 Summer Olympics, for a week of training, competition, community service and sightseeing.

Over the years the college has encouraged its athletic teams to have an international experience. This was a first for Hope's swimmers. The service project consisted of cleaning a park in the community of Callela where the team was headquartered. A friendly meet was held with the club swimming team in Sant Adrià.

Records Fall in Championship Season
The MSW Season in Review
Season's Best Performances
Hope Results at Nationals
2008-09 Winter Sports Season in Review
2008-09 Winter Sports Guide

The assault on the Hope record book was unprecedented for a single season as many new marks were established by the Flying Dutchmen en route to repeating as MIAA champions.

The season's accomplishments included 11 school and two MIAA records, five MIAA gold-medal performances, and nine honorable mention All-America performances at the NCAA Division III championships.

Hope Swimmers Outstanding at MIAA Championships
Hope MIAA Champions & Record Setters
Men's MIAA Championships Photo Gallery
MIAA championship highlights

The defending champion Flying Dutchmen prevailed at the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association swimming and diving championships. edging rival Kalamazoo by just 28.5 points. The championship was the 11th under coach John Patnott who since 1980 has guided teams to 30 conference titles (19 in women's swimming and 11 in men's swimming). He ranks second among the winningest MIAA coaches behind only Kalamazoo College tennis coach George Acker who guided the Hornets to 35 championships.

Eight swimmers were named to the all-MIAA team. Three swimmers were honored for a third year: junior Phil Heyboer of Zeeland, Mich.; junior Ryan Nelis of Holland, Mich.; junior and junior Matt Rose of Grandville, Mich. Honored for a second time were senior Ryan Vogelzang of Holland, Mich., and junior Mitch Ruch of Zeeland, Mich. First-time honorees included freshman Jeff Shade of Davison, Mich.; freshman Matthew Gregory of St. Joseph, Mich.; and junior Aaron Welsch of St. Peters, Mo.