Hope College’s Flying Ditch Sweep Grand Valley State

HOPE COLLEDGE, Michigan, January 30. THE Flying Dutchwwomen of Hope College capped a perfect dual meet season by gaining a 138-103 victory over Division II Grand Valley State on Friday night.

Coach John Patnott's Flying Dutch posted a 10-0 dual meet record. It marks the 14th time in 24 seasons under Patnott that the Flying Dutch have posted a perfect dual meet record. During his coaching career the Dutch are an amazing 177-17 in duals.

Senior Michelle Smith capped her final home meet by winning three events. She had conditional qualifying performances for the NCAA championships in the 200 freestyle (1:57.37) and 500 freestyle (5:08.33) and also won the 1,000 free (11:00.09).

Freshman Lisa Smith had an automatic NCAA qualifying time in winning the 100 butterfly (58.04). She also had a conditional national qualifying time in finishing second in the 50 freestyle (24.94).

Junior Erika Steele was a double winner capturing the 50 freestyle (24.61) and 100 freestyle (53.64), each a conditional NCAA qualifying time.

Other Hope winners were Meagan O'Neil, 200 individual medley (2:13.27) and Audrey Arnold, 100 backstroke (1:02.03).

The Flying Dutchmen concluded the dual meet portion of their season with a 127-110 victory over Division II Grand Valley State on Friday.

Coach John Patnott's Dutchmen posted a 9-1 dual meet record. The nine wins is a single season high for a Hope men's swimming/diving team. The previous high was seven wins.

Sophomore Kurtis Blohm was a double winner capturing the 50 free (21.34) and 100 freestyle (46.93), both conditional NCAA qualifying times.

Other Hope winners were Ian Kobes, 100 backstroke (53.51) and Ross Geurink, 100 breaststroke (1:00.49).

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