The 2021-2022 season for the boys swim and dive team is continuing to wind down with only three more meets left in the season. With the season dwindling down, the seniors are preparing to make the most out of their last few meets as Rangers and cherish all of the laughs, tears, and cheers they have shared over the years.  

Over the weekend, the boys swam in the OK White Meet hosted by Northview High School. Unfortunately for the boys, despite all of their hard work, they finished in fifth place out of six teams with a total score of 307. 

As a result, head coach Dennis Neat continues to push the boys to their limits so that they can be the best versions of themselves.

“As will any group, you grow through events and time together,” coach Neat said. “We’re smaller in number, so there are times when we all push ourselves and need a little pushing to get past some barriers, but my goal is to come together, especially at this time of the season; we need to put aside the little details and focus on the team goals.”

Morning practice, school, and then afternoon practice has been the boys’ schedule for months now, and even though they are excited to be able to sleep in another hour once the season is officially over, the underclassmen are going to miss the team and the seniors.

”l am sad the seniors are leaving because they are all really good, nice, and kind to everyone on the team,” freshman Sam Grant said.

After years on the team, the seniors’ swimming days are almost up. One of FHC’s main leaders, Andrew Kerssies, will especially miss the camaraderie and bonds that he has made over the past four years.

“I love the team because everyone there is training with you, and when you have a bad day, they always lift you up and motivate you to swim faster,” Andrew said. 

The Rangers’ next meet is one that every FHC diver has been looking forward to since the start of the season: the Regional Diving Meet. Recognized as one of the most competitive meets of the season for divers around the West Michigan area, divers like senior Cole Hysong have a great opportunity ahead of them. The meet is set to take place on Thursday, March 3, at 5 p.m. 

“Every year, I grow both as a person and as a coach. Each athlete is different from one another, so no two trains alike,” coach Neat said. “Even though we can’t train everyone individually, it’s my job to find a common theme and push everyone to achieve their goals.”