The girls swim and dive team had a close matchup last night against Grand Rapids Christian with a final score of 96-90. With all of their strength and hard work, they were able to secure another win making it their first back-to-back team win of the season. 

The meet began on a strong note with the 200-yard medley relay. Freshman Maggie Holt, sophomores Kayla Quach and Nora Magers, and senior Sydney VanLente all contributed to the relay’s first-place finish, earning a time of 1:58.73. The relay teams continued to stay strong throughout the night when both of the other relays ended up taking first place. Sydney VanLente, freshmen Allison Meny and Mady Scarlato, and junior Ashley Schenck all helped the 200-yard free relay team earn a time of 1:45.83. Mady Scarlato, Ashley Schenck, Maggie Holt, and Allison Meny, all helped close out the meet on a good note when they ended their 400-yard free relay with an outstanding time of 3:59.44.

“I think we all did really well, the energy was just really electric and everyone was cheering everyone on,” Mady said. “We were really looking to get the dub and we made that happen.”

Halfway through the meet, the lady Ranger divers made their appearance. Although it wasn’t their best meet, they were still able to show their talent. Junior Lily Zorn hit her dives and took seventh place with a score of 156.98. Junior Jia Niemeyer came out strong as she performed her six dives, leading her to a fifth-place finish and a score of 164.78. The Ranger’s highest scorer was junior Rachael Yeager who was able to secure the third-place spot with a score of 193.12 and earn three points to the team’s overall score.

“Our team had another victory! These victories are great for the team’s morale,” Jia said. “With such a small team in a sport where the amount of people plays a crucial role to get points, victories can be hard to get. I’m proud of all our divers and swimmers.”

To complete the meet, our individual swimmers put on a solid performance. The girls were able to take first place in five of the eight individual races. Allison Meny began the 200-yard free with an incredible start and was able to finish with a time of 2:01.85, beating out the second-place finisher by over seventeen seconds. Sydney VanLente continued to have a phenomenal meet. She placed first in the 200-yard individual medley with a time of 2:19.13, along with the 100-yard fly where she ended with a time of 1:01.87. Nora Magers also had an outstanding night in the 100-yard back, finishing with a time of 1:05.97.

“I think it went really well, it was a really fun meet,” Allison said. “I want to get my state cut in the 200-yard free so I am hoping to do that, and I am just excited to cheer on the seniors at their senior night.”

As the season begins to wind down, the girls look forward to their next meet against Byron Center at the Forest Hills Aquatic Center on Tuesday, October 18, at 6 p.m. It will be the team’s last home meet and they will be recognizing their three senior athletes, Sydney VanLente, Annie Douma, and Payton Dailey with the theme being beach out.