We have an olympic size pool at a high school that proves how good our swim team is. It is heated and amazingly deep. It has a lot of seating for when we hold competitions and high diving boards for practice.
Jenison Swim and Dive’s first loss of the season against West Ottawa
February 4, 2022
The Jenison Wildcats’ Swim and Dive suffered their loss of the season. This was against the West Ottawa Panthers at a home meet on Thursday, January 20th. West Ottawa is famous for having an array of talented swimmers that surpass Jenison’s Swim and Dive team. Despite this, the Wildcats jumped into the cold pool with their hopes high and victory in mind.
This meet was a special one because it is the first defeat that Jenison Swim and Dive has suffered all season. The team of swimmers this year did not lose their grip on victory at all 4 of their dual meets. This team has even ended the team’s years-long losing streak against Zeeland.
The first noticeable factor is that West Ottawa has many fast and talented swimmers. They have some very well-known swimmers. West Ottawa has a swimmer that went 20 seconds in the 50-yard freestyle. Also, a swimmer won the 500 freestyle at conference. West Ottawa has also sent swimmers to Olympic trials and colleges.
West Ottawa has had a long history of dominance in the aquatics program. Sending numerous swimmers to colleges and to Olympic trials. They’ve always been good and developed good swimmers.
— Jonathan Ngo
Second, a majority of Jenison swimmers had different events than usual. Some of these different events were completely new to the swimmers as they have not swam this event yet. The 200 freestyle was a new event for Andrew Tease. Plus, Jaden Chelilim had the joy of swimming the 200 individual medley for the first time this season.
I was expecting to lose the meet because everyone else said so, and many people swam new events.
— Jaden Chelilim
Jenison knew that they were going to lose, but did they let that get to their heads? Of course not. Even if they could not win, there are still other victories that await Jenison Swim and Dive. These include new personal records(PRs) and not getting any relays disqualified.
I went in thinking we were gonna definitely not come out on top just because they have a much deeper bench than we do. But I was looking forward to maybe getting some new PRs and see how, like, good our team did after a couple of hard weeks of training.
— Andrew Tease
This defeat by 49 points might be upsetting. Despite this, the Jenison Swim and Dive does not give up and they continue to become better. Swim meets like this one are opportunities. Opportunities to learn what you need to improve on and moments to reflect on what you have done so far. After you find your weak points, you can focus on those during practice to overcome them and get faster.
I think my underwater could have been better for the breaststroke in the 200 IM. I was running out of air. I think I could work on holding my breath better during practice.
— Jaden Chelilim
As you can tell by now West Ottawa has won the meet because of many circumstances. West Ottawa has a lot of great swimmers and the Jenison Swim team swimming new events. The Wildcats will continue to train to overcome their weaknesses.
You can stay up to date with the swim and dive team by attending the swim meets or on social media. Swim meet dates and locations are always announced in the morning announcements. The Instagram by the account @jenison_wildcats posts the scores of every meet.
Jenison Swim and Dive has lost this meet against West Ottawa. But, this will not change their progress towards future victories.