Over the second weekend of October, the girls varsity swim team competed in the annual Michigan Interscholastic Swim Coaches Association (MISCA) meet. In order to compete in the meet, swimmers must first achieve a qualifying time. The lady cats brought home two new school records and seven new state time cuts.
“I am always proud of our swimmers. They train very hard and compete against top notch competition,” athletic director Pat Marsman said. “The MISCA meet is one of the most competitive meets in the state, and our girls did very well.”
The girls traveled to Calvin College on Saturday, October 8. Little did they know the outcomes that would be brought home later that day.
Junior Addy Forbes beat the school record in the 100 freestyle, swimming a time of 52.43. This record was previously held by 2020 graduate Sarah Pataniczek at 52.73. Forbes currently holds six school records and is continuing to work hard to gain more.
“This was a fantastic accomplishment. [Forbes] is very deserving and is a very hard worker,” head coach Rob Damuth said. “Records are meant to be broken, and breaking another one of [Pataniczek’s] records is an accomplishment in itself.”
Additionally, the 400 freestyle relay record was beaten by juniors Addy and Jamie Forbes, sophomore Lily Lindower and senior Danika Fessenden. The team swam with a time of 3.33.65. The record was previously set last year by the Forbes sisters, Fessenden and 2022 graduate Peyton Oade with a time of 3.35.72.
“Breaking the school record and just being a part of the fastest relay in school history is amazing,” Lindower said. “I’m so proud of my relay team.”
Alongside the record-breaking times, seven girls gave it their all and swam state time cuts. The current state meet team consists of Lindower, Addy and Jamie Forbes, Fessenden, freshman Izzie Vanduyn and seniors Chloe Boivin and Evan Arnold.
“I couldn’t be more proud of my teammates,” Arnold said. “We work so hard and it shows. I cannot wait to see what else we will achieve this season.”
As a freshman, Izzie Vanduyn has already swam past the expectations by achieving her state cut time in both the 500 and 200 freestyle.
“It definitely gave me a lot of confidence and helped me believe in myself a lot more, which set a great tone for the rest of the season,” Vanduyn said. “Finally getting the cut was a huge relief, and I am very pleased with my performance.”
The team is looking forward to additional victories at the upcoming conference meet on November 4th and 5th.
“I am very excited to see us taper and swim fast at the conference meet,” Damuth said. “I have seen so much improvement both from the divers and swimmers. It is such an exciting time for us right now.”
