NCAA Div. III: Hope (Women), Kalamazoo (Men) Take MIAA Crown

HOLLAND, Mich., Feb. 23. HOPE College coach John Patnott took a swim in the Holland Aquatics Center
pool Saturday night, but it was a small price to pay as he celebrated with his women's swimming and diving team another MIAA championship.

The Flying Dutch captured their tenth MIAA title in 11 years dethroning Calvin which, a year ago, had snapped Hope's string of nine consecutive titles.

Hope ended with 588 points followed by Calvin 502, Kalamazoo 266, Albion 266, Saint Mary's 228, Alma 192 and Olivet 59.

In the men's MIAA meet, Kalamazoo maintained its dominance by winning the league crown for a seventh straight year while Hope ended runnerup for the same length of time. The Hornets totaled 657 points followed by Hope with 560, Calvin 370, Albion 195, Alma 186 and Olivet 56.

The Flying Dutch crowned four multi-champions, led by sophomore Audrey Arnold of Richmond, Ind. who won 100 and 200 yard backstroke and the 200 yard individual medley. She dethroned the defending MIAA champion in winning the backstroke events.

Sophomore Michelle Smith of Olympia, WA, successfully defended her league championships in the 500 and 1,650 yard freestyle events while freshman Elizabeth Federicks of Yucaipa, Calif marked the start of her collegiate career with first place performances in the 100 and 200 yard butterfly.

Junior Kelly Parker of Battle capped a storybook meet by winning the 200 yard breaststroke on Saturday night after winning the 100 yard breaststroke the night before. Her father Randy was the MIAA breaststroke champion in the mid-1970s while attending Albion College.

The Flying Dutch won three of the meet's five relays including a national qualifying performance in the 200 yard medley relay.

In the men's meet, the Flying Dutchmen crowned three double winners led by senior Josh Boss of Jenison who won the 100 and 200 yard breaststroke events for the fourth consecutive year. Both times were national qualifying times by the 2001 NCAA Division III swimmer of the year.

Junior Ian Kobes of Holland successfully defended his league crowns in the 100 and 200 backstroke, both in national qualifying times

The same was true for junior Tim DeHaan of Haslett who repeated as champion in the 50 and 100 yard freestyle. Junior Brian Slagh of Zeeland repeated as league champion in the 200 yard freestyle.

The Flying Dutchmen won four of the meet's five relays including Saturday's 400 yard freestyle relay. The team of Slagh, sophomore Chris Hamstra of Zeeland, freshman Jeff Vroegindewey of Kalamazoo and DeHaan set a league record.

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