Busy week for Plainwell as they top
Otsego and St Joe.

Plainwell began the week with a convincing win over crosstown rival Otsego. The talented Bulldogs had no answer for the depth of Plainwell as the Lady Trojans won the meet 114 to 71 Tuesday night. Thursday’s meet against St Joe would not be decided until the last event of the night with Plainwell getting the win in the nail biter 95 to 91. Both victories included some very good performances from all of our girls. Some diving highlights throughout the week included Kim Jones taking 1^st, Emily Zimmer 2^nd and Rachel Moore 4^th.  In swimming Abby Ernst continued her winning ways dominating the 100 back stroke, Emma Seiler won the 100 free, Veronica Klein the 100 breast and Aaryn Jewell would sweep the distance events.  Against Otsego: Abby, Veronica and Karlee would go 2,3,4 in the IM while Emma, Laura and Kaitlin would finish 2,3,5 in the 50 free.  Jessica, Angel and Jacqueline took 3^rd, 4^th and 5^th in the 100 fly. Laura and Karalyn went 2,4 in the 100 free and Angel and Kaitlin finished 3,4 in the 500 free. Jessica placed 3^rd in the 100 back and Karlee and Jacqueline finished 2,5 in the 100 breast.

                                                                          Relays

Emma Varley got her opportunity early in the night helping the team of Ristau, Breuer, Brignall and Varley taking 3^rd place in the 200 Medley Relay. Shaking things up a little coach Dubois would add diver (yes I said diver) Kim Jones to the 200 free relay team of Breuer, K. Jones, Havenaar and Loftus. They would go on to finish 4th in the event. For those who did not know Kim swims and Kim swims well. Expect to see more of her in a swim cap and goggles. Great Team Work!

 

 

 

 

 

Plainwell comes up short to visiting division 2 BC Lakeview

It was sure to be a tough night for Plainwell entering Thursdays meet down on numbers with several girls out for the night. To be competitive against such a strong program like Lakeview, Plainwell would need to be running on all cylinders with every one healthy and in attendance.  It was not to be this evening but not all was lost on the scoreboard alone.  Plainwell competed and competed well. The diving was fantastic. The swims were full of heart and the team represented with class. Great Job Girls!  Now just get healthy!

Highlights for the night were the outstanding diving of Kim Jones taking 1^st and Emily Zimmer 3^rd. Newcomer to the state qualifying line up for the medley relay was Jessica Nyberg as the team of Ernst, Seiler, Jones and Nyberg swam a 2:01.32 to qualify for state. Aaryn Jewell had a great swim in her 200 free qualifying for state with a time of 2:04.70. Later in the night she would take 1^st in the 500 free event. Emma Seiler and Laura Jones had strong showings in the 50 free taking 2^nd and 4^th respectively. Abby Ernst outclassed the field taking 1^st in the 100 back and Veronica Klein swam one of her best 100 breast swims of the year swimming a 1:18.70 for a 2^nd place finish. Karlee Gauthier also swam strong leading off the 200 free relay to a 2^nd place finish. After being out of the water for more than two weeks and down on strength due to illness Karalyn Vanslambrouck helped our 400 free relay to a 3^rd place finish. Gutsy swim Karalyn!

 Other strong showings for Plainwell were the 200 Medley Relay 4^th place finish of Ristau, Gauthier, Brignall and Havenaar. Cara Loftus swam for 5^th in her 500 free while Kylee Hillmann finished 6^th in the 100 Breast. 

 200 Med Relay State Qualifying Team at Holland       Gauthier, Jewell, Jones and Ernst

 

Plainwell gets the win over South Haven 142 to 43

Plainwell traveled west last week to take on the South Haven Rams to open up their conference meet schedule. With South Haven in rebuild mode this year and down on swimmers the outcome was never in question with Plainwell prevailing. Meets like this can be a great learning experience and beneficial to the team.  It is a chance to give our girls the opportunity to swim events they would not normally swim.  I would surmise that Coach Dubois expected our swimmers to step up and surprise him with great swims. In my opinion they did not disappoint for when the meet came to a close we had several notable first place finishes from: Kaitlin Oakes(200free, 500Free), Emma Seiler(200IM,100Breast), Cameron Vanderhoff(50free), Veronica Klein(100fly), Angel Liceaga(100free) and Karlee Gauthier(100back). GREAT JOB LADIES!

Be sure to come out and support the team as they take on Division 2 rival BC Lakeview Thursday the 10^th at Plainwell.

   Plainwell vs South Haven Results:

200 Medley                                                                        200 Free
1^st Klein,Gauthier,Liceaga,Ernst                                 1^st K. Oakes 2:26
2^nd Breuer, Seiler,Nyberg,Jewell                               2^nd C. Loftus 2:23.17
4^th Vanderhoff,Hillmann,Brignall,Ristau                  3^rd K. Havenaar 2:35.46

200 IM                                                                                  50 Free

1^st E. Seiler 2:34.52                                                           1^st C. Vanderhoff 31.46

2^nd J. Nyberg 2:42.08                                                       2^nd J. Brignall 31.87
5^th Kylee Hillmann 3:01.59                                             4^th H. Breuer 33.69

Diving                                                                                   100 Fly

1^st K.Jones 259.40                                                             1^st V. Klein 1:10.30
2^nd E.Zimmer 147.90                                                        3^rd J. Nyberg 1:18.44
4^th R. Moore 89.70                                                           4^th K. Gauthier 1:22.63

100 Free                                                                               500 Free              

1^st A. Liceaga 1:06.13                                                       1^st K. Oakes 6:26.10

 2^nd K. Ristau 1:08.40                                                        3^rd C. Loftus 6:48.18
3^rd C. Vanderhoff 1:10.78                                                4^th K. Havenaar 6:53.07

 200 Free Relay                                                                  100 Back

1^st Nyberg,Vanderhoff,Oakes,Liceaga                          1^st K. Gauthier 1:18.36

3^rd Brignall,Hillmann,Havenaar,Loftus                         2^nd K.Ristau
                                                                                            3^rd H. Breuer
100 Breast                                                                           400 Free Relay

1^st E. Seiler 1:17.40                                                           1^st Oakes,Loftus,Ristau,Klein

2^nd A. Jewell 1:22.39                                                        2^nd Breuer,Havenaar,Brignall,Hillmann
4^th A. Ernst 1:25.72

This blog, originally started in 2009 by a dedicated swim parent is back after being on hiatus for the 2012 season. We are excited and will do our best to report some of the latest news for the Plainwell swim & dive program.

We have just approached the mid-way point to the season and all the girls have done fabulous. They all have come a long way since mid-August two a day workouts. Plainwell will travel to South Haven this week to start off conference play and are looking forward to a strong showing. Coach is sure to mix things up some this week having girls swim events outside their comfort zone. This week is also the much anticipated road rally (another long standing tradition) that the girls and parents look forward to every year. Sure to be a good time for all…   

After 4 dual meets and 2 invitational meets the score card shows Plainwell with an outstanding dual meet record of 4-0 while finishing 5th and 8^th place at the two invitational meets. The Holland invitational over the weekend was a mid-season tune up attended by many of the best D3 teams in the state. Although this meet can be intimidating for some of our younger swimmers it is great experience for all. It certainly gives us a taste of the level of competition we will see at state this year. All the girls rose to the occasion and represented Plainwell well. Everyone should be proud.

Season Highlights

Plainwell v. Kalamazoo Central                     W  

Plainwell v.Wayland                                        W           115-69

Plainwell v. Mattawan                                    W             95-91

Plainwell v. Marshall                                       W            110.5-74.5

 

The meet of the season to date has to be the Plainwell vs Mattawan nail biter. On 9/12 Plainwell traveled to Division 2 Mattawan to take on the vastly improved Mattawan Wildcats. At over 30 swimmers strong this was sure to be a battle to the end. A coaching chess match for sure and when the water calmed, in the end Plainwell would prevail. It took every swimmer, every diver, every event and every point to secure the win. Only after the last relay touched the wall would we know the winner…True team effort. Great job women!

Plainwell Finishes vs Mattawan                                                 

Medley                                                                 200 Free

2)Seiler, Gauthier,Liceaga,Jones                1) A. Jewell 2:07.07          

3)Nyberg,Klein,Oakes,Ristau                      4) K. Vanslambrouck 2:17.20

6)Vanderhoff,Sighn,Varley,Brignall          6)K.Havenaar 3:33.96                                    

 

200 IM                                                                  50 Free

2)A.Ernst 2:30.57                                              4)L.Jones 27.11

3)V.Klein 2:33.39                                              5)K.Oakes 29.81

4)K.Gauthier 2:35.40                                       6)K.Ristau 30.95

 

Diving                                                                   100Fly

1)K.Jones 225.45                                              2)A.Ernst 1:10.39

2)E.Zimmer 141.50                                           3)L.Jones 1:11.94

5)R.Moore 90.40                                              4)A.Liceaga 1:12.96

100 Free                                                               500Free

4)E.Seiler 1:00.97                                              1)A.Jewell 5:46.99

5)J.Nyberg 1:01.99                                           4)K.Vanslambrouck 6:12.88

6)A.Sighn 1:09.33                                             5)A.Liceaga 6:19.42

 

200 Fr Relay                                                        100Back

1)Gauthier,Jones,Ernst,Jewell                   1)E.Seiler1:06.06

3)Varley,Ristau,Oakes,Vanslanbrouck    2)J.Nyberg 1:08.24

6)Havenaar,Brignall,Breuer,Burkey          5)C.Vanderhoff 1:20.05

 

100 Breast                                                 400 Relay

1)V.Klein 1:17.90                              2) Ernst,Nyberg,Seiler,Jewell

2)K.Gauthier 1:19.62                       4) Ristau,Liceaga,Oakes,Vanslambrouck

4)A.Singh 1:25.60                            6) Varley,Hillman,Havenaar,Breuer

 

 

Plainwell Finishes vs Marshall                               

Medley                                                                200 Free

2)Seiler, Gauthier,Varley,Jones                 1)K.Vanslambrouck 2:18.48

3)Nyberg,Singh,Oakes,Jewell                     2)V. Klein 2:20.24

5)Vanderhoff,Hillman,Brignall,Ristau      4)C. Loftus 2:28.61

 

200IM                                                                   50 Free

1)A.Ernst 2:31.79                                              1)A. Jewell 26.49

3)K.Gauthier 2:38.28                                       2)L. Jones 27.29

4)A. Singh 2:49.66                                            4)K. Oakes 29.83

 

Diving                                                                   100 Fly 

1)K.Jones 256.55                                              1)A.Jewell 1:07.11

2)E.Zimmer 150.85                                           2)L.Jones 1:11.83

5)R.Moore 98.70

 

100 Free                                                               500 Free

1)E.Seiler 1:00.16                                          1)A.Ernst 5:56.55

3)J.Nyberg 1:03.91                                        2)K.Vanslambrouck 6:08.79

4)K Oakes 1:05.45                                         5)C. Loftus 6:38.75

 

200 Fr Relay                                                        100 Back

1)Varley,Vanslambrouck,Ernst,Jewell     1)J Nyberg 1:07.68

2)Gauthier,Ristau,Oakes,Jones                 3)V. Klein 1:16.28

5)Havenaar,Singh,Breuer,Loftus              5)C.Vanderhoff 1:19.04

 

100 Breast                                                400 Relay

3)A.Singh 1:25.17                        3) Breuer,Klein,Brignall,Vanderhoff

5)K. Hillman 1:34.60

6)E. Varley 1:35.56

Trojans Rake In Academic Awards

The 2011 Plainwell High School Girl's Swimming and Diving achieved high awards during the past swimming and diving season and they keep on coming!

The team achieved a 3.68 cumulative Grade Point Average which placed them seventh in Division 3. This marks the 16th year in a row that the team has finished Academic All-State (Top 10) in their division.

Individually, both Lindsay Wiederhold and Cameron Monroe were named MISCA Academic All-State. In addition, both of these talented ladies were named NISCA High School Academic
All-Americans! Congratulations to the team and Lindsay and Cameron for your high achievements.

Plainwell's 3rd Place State Team and Celebration!

Plainwell Reaches New Heights - Nets 3rd Place Finish at State Meet!

The 2011 Plainwell High School Girls Swimming and Diving Team achieved a status no other girl's aquatic team has in the school's storied history by placing 3rd in the Division 3 State Championships at Oakland University with 182 points. The Trojans swam and dove at a very high level all weekend to earn their status as one of the top teams in the state. It was a true team effort as the meet was marked by record breaking performances, best times, and point scoring by many individuals.

Freshman Mallory Comerford had a stellar meet with 2 first place finishes in the freestyle sprint events. Her performance earned her Division 3 Swimmer of the Year and her 100 Freestyle broke a Division 3 State record as well as new school records. She was also a key member of the All-State Freestyle Relay Teams. Mallory's individual races were not even close - an indication of her dominance in her events. Her performance also warranted All-American status.

Senior Lindsay Wiederhold capped a brilliant high school career with a 2nd place finish in the 200 Freestyle and new school record and a 3rd place in the 500 Freestyle. Her last race (a member of the 400 Freestyle Relay) very fittingly broke the school record as well. Her career is one of the most elite in Plainwell Swimming/Diving history - 14 out of a possible 16 All-State performances and 4 new school records. She was a strong leader this year as a captain.

Kim Jones was remarkable in the diving event with a 2nd place performance. Her future is very bright for upcoming Championship meets. Cameron Monroe gave a very heroic performance after hitting the board on her first dive in the finals. She set aside the pain and continued on to pick up key points for the Trojans. Her performance and courage epitomized her stature as a captain and a leader of the team.

Blair Cornell had an outstanding swim in breaking the 100 Breaststroke school record with a 12th place finish. As mentioned before, the 400 Freestyle Relay team also broke the school record with an exciting come from behind swim to secure the 3rd place finish. Members of the relay team were Teresa Thiel, Audrey VanderBoon, Lindsay Wiederhold, and Mallory Comerford. The 200 Freestyle Relay swam to an All-State 6th place finish with Megan VanderBoon, Teresa Thiel, Lindsay Wiederhold, and Mallory Comerford.

Teresa Thiel and Megan VanderBoon made it back to the Consolation Finals while placing 12th and 13th respectively in the 100 Butterfly and the Medley Relay team of Audrey VanderBoon, Blair Cornell, Megan VanderBoon, and Teresa Thiel placed 10th. Rounding out the State Team were Ally Seiler who dropped 2 seconds in the 100 Backstroke in the Preliminaries and freshman Aaryn Jewell.

Coach John Dubois also picked up an honor for Co-Division 3 Coach of the Year. His award helps showcase a great and historic year with a wonderful and talented group of young women! Fantastic Job!

Plainwell Finishes:

200 Medley Relay
(A. VanderBoon, Cornell, M. VanderBoon, Thiel) Prelims - 1:55.22; Finals - 1:55.82 10th

200 Freestyle
Wiederhold Prelims - 1:56.36; Finals - 1:55.71 (New School Record) 2nd

200 IM
Cornell Prelims - 2:22.36 21st

50 Freestyle
Comerford Prelims - :24.25; Finals - :23.62 (New School Record) 1st

Diving
Jones Finals - 429.00 2nd
Monroe Finals - 348.34 11th

100 Butterfly
Thiel Prelims - 1:03.66; Finals - 1:03.72 12th
M. VanderBoon Prelims - 1:03.95; Finals - 1:03.74 13th

100 Freestyle
Comerford Prelims - :52.02; Finals - :50.46 (New School Record) 1st New D3 State Record

500 Freestyle
Wiederhold Prelims - 5:14.23; Finals - 5:09.80 3rd

200 Freestyle Relay
(M. VanderBoon, Thiel, Wiederhold, Comerford) Prelims - 1:42.01; Finals - 1:41.58 6th

100 Backstroke
A. VanderBoon Prelims - 1:04.64 28th
Seiler Prelims - 1:04.89 30th

100 Breastroke
Cornell Prelims - 1:10.24; Finals - 1:09.73 (New School Record) 12th

400 Freestyle Relay
(Thiel, A. VanderBoon, Wiederhold, Comerford) Prelims - 3:42.23; Finals - 3:38.50 (New School Record) 3rd