Over the weekend, the Lady Rangers Swim and Dive team faced off against eight other teams at the 2024 Jenison Invitational.
This was the first invitational of the year that the Lady Rangers had attended, besides an all-relay meet, and it certainly proved to be a challenge. FHC swam against multiple Division 1 powerhouses in Jenison, West Ottawa, and Loy Norrix, as well as conference rivals Forest Hills Northern/Eastern and Byron Center.
While the Rangers were able to beat the likes of Grand Ledge, Dewitt, and Berkley, they could not quite overcome the other teams and placed 6th out of 9.
The meet started on Friday with the divers of FHC, sophomores Mia Shaffer and Sydney Bresnahan, each competing in 11 dives. Shaffer and Bresnahan placed second and third, respectively, starting the meet strongly for the Lady Rangers.
Shaffer, who recently came back after recovering from a concussion, felt very positively about her performance.
“After my performance on Friday, I felt very good because I got second place after only having a couple of practices since being back,” said Shaffer. I think I did the best I could have done considering my list could have been harder, but I’m very proud of my performance and felt I did a pretty solid job after coming back from my concussion.”
On Saturday, the swimmers had their chance to show up for the Rangers.
This meet was different from any other meet, as it was in reverse order from the typical meet format. Instead of ending with the 400-yard freestyle relay, the Jenison Invitational started with it.
The Rangers were beaten out of the top 8 in the 400 relay but managed to pick up points in the 100 breaststroke, with freshman Natalie Holt taking 11th place (1:16.38) and senior Kayla Quach taking 15th (1:19.43).
They then followed up on their success in the 100 breaststroke, with more success in the 100 back. FHC had five swimmers place in the top 16, which all scored points for the team. Sophomore Ellie Palmer led the pack, taking 4th (1:05.07), junior Maggie Holt took 9th (1:06.39), senior Nora Magers placed 11th (1:06.57), freshman Lola Lipke eased into 12th (1:07.69), and freshman Ciana Fors rounded out the event in 15th (1:12.23).
In the next few events, the 200 freestyle relay, 500 freestyle, and 100 freestyle, the Rangers scored more points. By the time the meet got to the 100 fly, multiple Rangers were able to place in the top 16 and earn points.
Junior Allison Meny not only earned her state cut but also placed 5th (1:02.99). Lipke and Fors placed 12th and 13th in 1:07.54 and 1:08.09, respectively.
Meny has recently picked up many state cuts in her traditional events, both the 100 and 200 freestyle, but this recent cut hasn’t changed her outlook for the rest of the season.
“As the season goes on, my focus is now on preparing for our state meet,” said Meny. “I am now just focusing on making sure I have a strong base and building until state.”
To close out the meet, the Rangers took home some points in the 50 free, 200 IM, 200 freestyle, and 200 medley relay. Their A relay team took 7th place in the last event.
The meet was certainly not an easy one for the Rangers, but they put together a stellar performance. Head Coach Dennis Neat knows this and had very positive things to say about his team.
“Overall, the team performed well. We had several seasons and personal best performances during the meet this weekend,” said Neat. “For some, it was a chance to try a race for the first time or even in a while, and for others, it was an opportunity to improve on their times during the current season.”
FHC has other opportunities to look forward to. They have big meets coming up against conference rivals East Grand Rapids and Jenison.
