Be Better Invite Honors Ian Miskelley as Michigan, Hope, Calvin Compete, Raise Mental Health Awareness

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Photo Courtesy: Dan D'Addona

Be Better Invite Honors Ian Miskelley as Michigan, Hope, Calvin Compete, Raise Mental Health Awareness

The University of Michigan hosted the second annual Be Better Invite on Friday night at Canham Natatorium.

The meet honors late Michigan swimmer Ian Miskelley, who took his own life after struggles with mental health. The meet with Hope College and Calvin University raises money and awareness for mental health through the Be Better Foundation, which was started by Miskelley’s parents.

“We will always remember our brother, Ian Miskelley. Thankful for the opportunity to compete in honor of him,” Michigan posted on social media.

The meet involved the three schools Miskelley had the biggest ties to. He swam at Michigan and is from Holland, Michigan, where Hope College is located and swam with many of the Hope swimmers and Calvin swimmers growing up. He won a state championship in Calvin’s pool as a Holland Christian High School swimmer.

The meet was non-scoring and meant to bring the joy in swimming out, which is why there were mystery races and mystery skins races where strokes were picked at random and the skins competitors had to swim whatever was chosen.

Different lengths of races and underwater races were on the schedule as well.

It also was good competition to start the college swim season. Michigan is one of the premier programs in the country, while Hope and Calvin are perennial ranked teams in Division III.

In the men’s races, Michigan’s Tyler Ray won the 100 butterfly (48.66). Jacque Wenger won the 100 backstroke (51.00). Ozan Kalafat won the 100 breast (56.64). Bence Szabados won the 50 free Jaeddan Gamilla won the 100 IM (52.31). Logan Zucker won the 200 free (1:40.79).

In the women’s races, Michigan’s Ella Jo Piersma won the 100 butterfly (55.82). Lily Cleason won the 100 backstroke (56.73). Stephanie Balduccini won the 100 breast (1:03.85) and 100 IM (56.21). Christey Liang won the 50 free (23.81). Katelyn Crom won the 200 free (1:51.94).

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