Plainwell 113, Otsego 67

Plainwell hosted Otsego for a fun filled final dual meet of the season on Tuesday, October 27, 2015. It was parent/senior night and emotions ran high as the swimmers/ parents paraded on deck prior to the meet. The ladies were back on task quickly as the swimming started, converting their emotions to wins by taking 8 of 12 first place spots throughout the meet. After diving, Coach introduced yet another impressive senior class consisting of Veronica Klein, Allison Singh, Abby Ernst, and Jessica Nyberg. Good luck to you girls in your future endeavors we have really enjoyed watching you grow up. The ladies wrapped up the meet with a nice state qualifying time in the 400 Free Relay. The final event of the night was a 50 Free between 2 very dedicated Plainwell swimmers, who have both practiced all season long, but have not been able to compete. Lauren Vanlent is suffering from an overuse injury and Lizzie Gorten is a transfer student whose eligibility won’t take effect until the spring season, we hope to see them both racing next fall. Plainwell ended up winning the meet by a score of 113 to 67, here are the places.

200 Medley Relay: Plainwell 1^st, 3^rd

200 Freestyle: Klein 1^st , Betz 2^nd , Lamorandier 3^rd

200 Individual Medley: Burgess 2^nd, Jewell 3^rd, Singh 4^th

50 Freestyle: Keator 2^nd, Varley 3rd, Jones  4^th

50 Freestyle X: DeLaet 2^nd , Pierce 3^rd , Evans 4^th

Diving: Brady 1^st, Shannon 2^nd, Clemens 3^rd

100 Butterfly: Ernst 1^st (State cut), Jewell 3^rd, Hills 4^th

100 Freestyle: Keator 1^st , Varley 3^rd, Moore 4^th

100 Freestyle X: McKenzie 1^st , Hillmann 2^nd, Widman 3^rd

500 Freestyle: Betz 2^nd, Lamorandier 3^rd, Havenaar 4^th,

200 Freestyle Relay: Plainwell 1^st and 3^rd

100 Backstroke: Hills 1^st, Moore 4^th, McKenzie 6^th

100 Breaststroke:  Klein 2^nd, DeLeat 5^th , Evans 6th

400 Freestyle Relay: 1^st (State Cut: Nyberg, Varley, Jones, and Ernst) and 3^rd


                                                         

 Plainwell 114 South Haven 69

The long rainy drive didn’t dampen the spirits of the Lady Trojans as they took on the South Haven Rams on Tuesday October 20^th in South Haven. Plainwell took the upper hand immediately placing teams 1^st and 3^rd in the Medley Relay. Betz, Burgess, and Havenaar kept the pressure on in the 200 Free by respectively taking 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd. Ernst led the charge in the 200 IM by placing 1^st, followed by Jewell in 2^nd and Moore in 3^rd. In the 50 Free Jones took 2^nd, Singh snagged 3^rd, McKenzie got 6^th. Pierce swam to 1^st in the 50 Exhibition followed by Hillman in 3rd and Widman in 4^th. The divers had another great 1 2 3 performance with Zimmer, Brady, and Clemens holding everyone attention on the 1 Meter board. Jewell flew her way to a 1^st with Klein and Hills battling it out for 3^rd and 4^th in the 100 Fly. In the 100 Free Nyberg 1^st, Varley 2^nd, and Keator 4^th took the varsity heat, while DeLaet, Hillmann, and Evans took 1^st through 3^rd in the exhibition heat. Betz had a smoking fast 500 Free to take first while Lamorandier and Havenaar, surfed her wake in for 2^nd and 3^rd. Plainwell took 1^st, 3^rd and 4^th in the 200 free relay. Coach was able to start placing swimmers in exhibition during the 100Back allowing Hills (1^st) and Lamorandier (3^rd) to relax as Moore battled for 2^nd. DeLaet grabbed a solid 3^rd in the 100 breaststroke with Burgess and Nyberg swimming exhibition. Plainwell finished out the meet with a nice 2^nd and 3^rd place finish in the 400 free relay.  Final score Plainwell 114 South Haven 69. Nice job Ladies.

                              B.E.

Lost but Not Forgotten

As I sat down to write about this meet I was unable to locate my notes. I was a little upset at first but then realized that for this meet it was absolutely perfect. Plainwell made their way down the, I- 94 Corridor, to swim against St Joseph. Although non-conference St. Joseph has an established program and has provided Plainwell with great competition over the years. Both teams traded wins throughout the contest and the girls swam/dove their best. The meet was a battle to end and Plainwell came up short by just 2 points, 92 to 94. Why was it good that I lost my notes? Because this was a tremendous team performance put on by all the swimmers and divers. Yes there were outstanding individual efforts, but in the end it came down to the difference of a fifth place finish. That is why I like Swimming, you can put forth extra effort to turn a fifth place into a fourth place and maybe win the meet for your team.  Gritty meets like this are only preparing the team better for the upcoming conference meet. I can’t wait to see the team perform coming off taper and hungry for every point. Great job Ladies!

                                                  B.E.

          Plainwell 108, Allegan 77.

Plainwell hosted Allegan on Tuesday, October 13^th for the 2015 dual meet. A large crowd turned out to watch this inter-conference rivalry as Plainwell went to work. It was great to see swimmers and parents from past teams still following the Plainwell program. The girls appreciated the support and swam/dove an outstanding meet winning by a score of Plainwell 108, Allegan 77.

         Here are the Plainwell places:

200 Medley Relay: Plainwell 1st and 3^rd

200 Freestyle: Klein 2^nd, Betz 3^rd, Havenaar 4^th

200 Individual Medley: Singh 2^nd, Jewell 3^rd, Moore 4^th, DeLaet 5^th (Exhibition)

50 Freestyle: Jones and Varley tied for 1^st, McKenzie 4^th (with a PR)

50 Freestyle X: Pierce 1^st, Evans 2^nd, Widman 4^th

Diving: Zimmer 3^rd, Brady 4th, Shannon 6^th

100 Butterfly: Nyberg 1^st, Jewell 2^nd, Hills 4^th

100 Freestyle: Ernst 1^st with a state cut, Keator 3^rd, McKenzie 5^th

100 Freestyle X: Pierce 2^nd, Widman 3^rd, Evans 4^th

500 Freestyle: Klein 2^nd, Betz 3^rd, Havenaar 4^th, Lamarandier (with a PR Exhibition)

200 Freestyle Relay: Plainwell 1^st with a state cut and 3^rd

100 Backstroke: Hills 2^nd, Lamorandier 3^rd, Moore 4^th

100 Breaststroke:  Burgess 2^nd, Singh 4^th, DeLeat 5^th

400 Freestyle Relay: 2^nd and 3^rd                                         

                                     B.E.

Plainwell’s first week of the dual meet schedule provided us with two very exciting meets with Plainwell @ Marshall on Tuesday and Battle Creek Lakeview @ Plainwell on Thursday. The fans were given spectacular show as the ladies fought for every point. This fiery competition provided the Trojans with many new personal records as the girls stepped up to the challenges in the pool.  Coach had swimmers in different roles trying to get every point possible and girls fought valiantly right through the 400 Free Relay of both meets.

At Marshall, Plainwell got things going with a 1^st in the Medley relay.  Ernst took 1^st and Klein followed up with a PR in the 200 Freestyle. Burgess set a PR and Jewell shaved 3 seconds off her IM while Plainwell took 2^nd, 4^th, and 5^th. The Zimmer, Brady, and Shannon took 2^nd, 3^rd, and 4^th with some outstanding performances to tie the score at 39 to 39. Nyberg took 1^st in the Fly, Ernst grabbed 1^st while Klein set another PR in the 500 Free. Marshall’s depth took over as the meet concluded with a Score of Plainwell 79 Marshall 107.

BC Lakeview was a similar meet with both teams alternating wins through diving. Again the divers positioned Plainwell well with a 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd leaving Plainwell just 2 points behind in the team score. Jewell had a great 100 Fly to take 3^rd, and Nyberg showed everyone the way to the finish taking 1^st in the 100 Free, with Singh and Burgess taking 4^th and 5^th. Lamorandier may have found a new event showing her toughness in the 500 Free by taking 3^rd followed closely in by Havenaar 4^th and Keator 5^th. Ernst won and Moore took 5^th spot in the Backstroke. Klein showed some of her versatility by taking home a 3^rd place in the Breaststroke with DeLaet chasing her in for 5^th. In the end BC Lakeview was a little deeper than Plainwell outscoring them 105 to 81.

It was a tough week for the team but the girls handled themselves like professionals and are looking towards future meets.

                                                                   B.E.

Plainwell 103, Alma 83

Plainwell traveled to Allegan to take on Alma in the Pent-Meet (5 team) Saturday October 3^rd. With South Haven, Otsego, and Allegan all in attendance it was like a mini-conference meet, giving some of the younger swimmers a glance at what to expect in November. The swimmers have to remember they are swimming against the clock and can take places away from other heats and the girls did a great job. Plainwell was coming off their Homecoming week which always stretches the girls thin with all the extra activities. The team pulled together and beat Alma by the unofficial score of Plainwell 103, Alma 83. Here are the Plainwell places

200 Medley Relay: Plainwell 2^nd and 3^rd

200 Freestyle: Klein 1^st, Betz 2^nd, Havenaar 4^th
200 Individual Medley: Ernst 1^st, Burgess 3^rd, Jewell 4^th (with a PR)
50 Freestyle: Jones 2^nd, Moore 3^rd, Lamorandier 5^th
Diving: Brady 1^st (with a PR), Clemens 2^nd, Shannon 3^rd (with a PR)
100 Butterfly: Ernst 1^st, Jones 4^th, Hills 5^th
100 Freestyle:  Varley 2^nd, Keator 3^rd, Delaet 5^th
500 Freestyle: Klein 1^st, Betz 3^rd
200 Freestyle Reley: Plainwell 1^stand 3^rd
100 Backstroke: Hills 2^nd, Lamorandier 3^rd, Moore 5^th
100 Breaststroke:  Jewel 3^rd, Evans 5^th
400 Freestyle Reley: 2^nd
                                                                                       B.E.