2013 SWC Conference Champs!!!

Guest Writer: Rich Vanslambrouck
Photo: Wendy Gauthier

Ranked in the top 10 in the state, the lady Trojans entered the Allegan Aquatic Center for the SWC league championship confident in their abilities, but knowing the outcome was still in doubt.  After all, this was a team who lost 8 all-state competitors.  This was a team that struggled with illness and injuries in the very heart of the season. This was a team with just two seniors for leadership. So, it only stood that this conference championship, if achieved, would be special.

Throughout the season the lady Trojans showed their determination in gutting out victories over very good Division 2 teams and going undefeated in the league for an 11^th straight season. But, Alma brought some great swimmers capable of top podium spots.  Allegan was strong with highly improved divers on the board. And Otsego was as skilled and determined as they have ever been.

So then, did these other teams sense weakness? If so, their senses betrayed them. The lady Trojans left weakness like road kill on M89. The moment they took the deck, it was nothing but a show of strength and depth.  Plainwell brought 2 or 3 contenders in almost every championship event.

Aaryn Jewell was the “Jewel of the Pool” with a qualifying state time for the 50 free in the first leg of the 200 free on Friday. Then Aaryn really took over Saturday with a first place in the 200 free and a third place in the 500 free, both at state qualifying times. Her anchor leg in the 400 free secured another state qualifying time rewarding the efforts of her team mates Laura Jones, Jessica Nyberg and Karalyn VanSlambrouck.

Plainwell flashed their depth in many races with Karlayn VanSlambrouck and Kari Havennaar finishing 5^th and 8^th respectively in the 200 free, behind Aaryn’s first. The 200 IM was similiar with Abby Ernst taking 2^nd, Veronica Klein 5^th and Karlee Gathier 8^th. Laura Jones just out touched her teammate Emma Seiler in the 50 free to a 5th and 6^th position. Kaitlin Oakes soaked up the top of the podium in 9^th spot in the 50 free.

Angel Liceaga took 8^th in the 500 with a very strong 6:11.73. Karalyn Vanslambrouck, after fighting through mono was an unlikely contender in this most grueling event. However, through perseverance, she placed 4^th on the podium to help the Trojan team.

Abby Ernst looked smooth as silk taking first in the 100 backstroke. Jessica Nyberg finished 5^th and freshman surprise Jacqueline (Jax) Brignall finished 7^th. Emma Varley, battling back from illness finished 12^th. Kylee Hillman made a very nice showing in the 100 breast with championship round places by Veronica Klein (3^rd ) and Karlee Gauthier (5^th).

And when it came time for the lady Trojans to flex their muscle on the diving boards, they did it with style. Solid as ever, Kim Jones scored a 508.80 to take first place. Emily Zimmer had some super dives and finished 4^th with 329.50 and Rachel Moore 6^th with 179.50. These two freshman continue to improve under the tutelage of Coach Lyne. They, with returning state champ, Kim Jones are poised to be awesome next year.

And after the computer tallied the numbers, and the inflections of Greg Cornell’s announcements quieted, the scores sunk in.  The Lady Trojans realized with much excitement that they were the champions. And this year, it was special. One will never fully know what hall of fame coach John Duboise thought of this teams possibilities in the face of graduations, illness and injuries, but I suspect he is very pleased with the results. Plainwell is returning 8 girls to the  state.  The team gained strength and did not weaken through the season. They persevered.

Good luck to the seniors and captains, Karalyn VanSlambrouck and Cara Loftus. May the lessons and habits of champions and leaders perfected in four years of Plainwell swimming under coach John Duboise be with you your whole life and in everything you do.

And finally, as the other teams vacated the pool, losing by nearly 100 points at best, were they thinking about the SWC tradition of recognizing the seniors when only these two Plainwell women stepped out in front?  So, what is to come in 2014 must make them nervous. Indeed, for the Plainwell Lady Trojans, the future is bright. And that must be why they wore shades.