GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - Calvin closed out its dual meet season and celebrated Senior Day with victories over Albion and Alma Saturday afternoon at the Venema Aquatic Center.
Calvin defeated Albion 180-113 and Alma 225-45. The Knights finish the dual meet season with an overall record of 8-3 including 5-0 against MIAA opponents.
Prior to the meet, Calvin honored seniors Tim Randall (Grand Rapids, Mich./Grand Rapids Christian HS), Jacob Deysher (Colorado Springs, Colo./Palmer Ridge HS), Sam Holstege (Keswick, Va./The Covenant School), Brian Goins (Rochester Hills, Mich./Rochester Adams HS), Luke Herman (Waterford, Wisc./Burlington HS), Gabriel Kirk (Irvine, Ca./University HS) and Tristan Hazlett (Lutz, Fla./Home School) who were competing in their final home dual meets.
Ranked 15th nationally, Calvin took first place in 11 events on Saturday.
Junior Julian Iturbe (Caracas, Venezuela/Colegio Emil Friedman School) was a triple winner, taking first place in the 50 freestyle (21.11), 500 freestyle (4:48.30) and 200 IM (1:56.34).
Freshman Jacob Heeres (Zeeland, Mich./Holland Christian HS) was a double-winner, taking first place in the 200 freestyle (1:44.14) and 100 freestyle (46.97).
Goins had a big senior day by winning the 200 butterfly in a time of 1:57.86. Kirk also took home a Senior Day victory, winning the 100 breaststroke in a time of 1:00.38.
Sophomore Noah Holstege (Keswick, Va./The Covenant School) clipped off a win in the 100 backstroke in a time of 53.15. Freshman Julien Camy (Grand Rapids, Mich./Grand Rapids Christian HS) was a winner in the 100 butterfly (52.39) while freshman Jacob Iddings (Fenton, Mich./Fenton HS) won the 1,000 freestyle in a time of 10:21.06.
Calvin's 200 medley relay team of Noah Holstege, Sam Holstege, Camy and Iturbe took home a win in a time of 1:33.56.
COACHES COMMENT: "Today was about the seniors," said Calvin head swim coach Dan Gelderloos. "We didn't want to celebrate last swims, rather seeds that have been planted over the last four years and are starting to bloom or maybe won't fully bloom for a few more years. This was about growth, commitment and the journey. It was hbeen a couple of years since both teams went undefeated in MIAA duals so that was a good accomplishment for this group too but we are determined to finish the way we want to finish this season."
NEXT UP: Calvin will host the MIAA Championships at the Venema Aquatic Center February 19-22.
