The Ottawa Hills Men’s Swimming team had an outstanding weekend at the D3 State Meet in Ypsilanti this weekend. Sophomore Robert Pall broke a 31 year old school record in the 50 free with a time of 22.36 and placed 14th in the meet. All three relays placed in the top 25 and had season best times as well. Ottawa finished 30th in the state, scoring points at a state meet for the first time since 1991.

Robert Pall

The Ottawa Hills men’s swim and Dive team is capping off its best season in decades by sending 6 swimmers to the MHSAA Division 3 State Meet at Eastern Michigan University on March 8 and 9. The team qualified in 3 relay events and sophomore Robert Pall qualified in both the individual 50 free and the 500 free. On the relays with Pall are seniors Andrew Lowe, Isaac LaGrand and Gerrit Beltman, along with sophomores Jack Culp and Michael Pall. Sophomore diver Shane Mason will be competing at MHSAA Diving Regionals at East Grand Rapids High School on Tuesday March 5. The top 12 divers from the regional competition will move on to the State Meet.

The Bengals had their most successful season to date, with a dual meet record of 6-4, placing 2^nd at the Polar Bear Classic, 3^rd at the Ottawa Invitational and 3^rd at the OK Rainbow Conference Meet. Robert Pall broke the Conference record in the 500 free with a 5:07.47. Ottawa also had 5 All-Conference swimmers: Robert Pall, Michael Pall, Gerrit Beltman, Andrew Lowe and Isaac LaGrand.

From Left: Michael Pall , Jack Culp, Robert Pall, Andrew Lowe, Gerrit Beltman, Isaac LaGrand

Team Placed 3rd place overall (329pts)

State Qualifiers names and events in RED below.

200 Medley Relay: Jack Culp, Larenz Rivero, Nate Sherman, Jonathon Selmon – 4th place

200 Free: Andrew Lowe – 3rd, Gerrit Beltman – 6th, Nate Sherman – 12th

200 IM: Isaac LaGrand – 7th, Jack Culp – 9th

50 Free: Robert Pall – 1st (D3 State Qualifying), Michael Pall – 9th, Shane Mason – 14th, Jonathon Selmon – 16th
Diving: Shane Mason – 10th

100 Fly: Michael Pall – 4th, Nate Sherman – 7th, Larenz Rivero – 12th

100 Free: Andrew Lowe – 2nd

500 Free: Robert Pall – 1st (new Conference record, D3 State Qualifying), Rand Mustafa – 14th, Jacob Hartness – 16th

200 Free Relay: Andrew Lowe, Gerrit Beltman, Michael Pall, Robert Pall – 1st (D3 State Qualifying)

100 Back: Jack Culp – 5th, Gerrit Beltman – 6th, Matt Christensen – 14th

100 Breast: Isaac LaGrand – 3rd, Larenz Rivero – 8th

400 Free Relay: Andrew Lowe, Gerrit Beltman, Isaac LaGrand, Robert Pall – 2nd (D3 State Qualifying).

All Conference Swimmers: Robert Pall, Michael Pall, Andrew Lowe, Gerrit Beltman, Isaac LaGrand

Robert Pall (9) from Ottawa Hills High School qualified for the MHSAA
Division III Swimming and Diving State Meet. The State Meet will be held on
Friday Febuary 9th and Saturday February 10th at Oakland University. Robert
qualified in both the 50 yard Freestyle and 100 yard Freestyle events. In
addition to qualifying for the State Meet, Robert and teammate Andrew Lowe
(11) earned All Conference honors for the Tier III Rainbow Division.

The Ottawa Hills Men’s Swimming and Diving team concluded their best season in years last week with a 5th place finish in the Tier III Rainbow Conference meet . An overall dual meet record of 4-6 marked the most dual meet wins the program has had in the last decade. The Conference Meet at Hastings High School, which was postponed 3 days due to weather, brought large time drops for almost every member of the Bengals team, and their highest finish in a Conference meet since joining the OK Conference. “We swam really well” says head coach Eve Julian. “I was worried that the delay [due to the weather] would cause problems but the guys adjusted beautifully and swam better than I thought they might. Everyone posted significant time drops. They really worked hard this season, and I’m glad they were able to finish as strong as they did.” Individual event medalists were Gerrit Beltman (11) in 2 events, Isaac LaGrand (11), Robert Pall (9) in 2 events, Andrew Lowe (11) in 2 events, and Jack Culp (9). Relay event medal winners were the 2nd place Medley Relay of Jack Culp, Andrew Lowe, Isaac LaGrand and Robert Pall, the 5th place 200 Free Relay of Michael Pall, Larenz Rivero, Nathan Sherman and Gerrit Beltman and the 4th place 400 Free Relay of Gerrit Beltman, Andrew Lowe, Nate Sherman and Robert Pall. In addition to having at least one swimmer in each of the Finals events, Robert Pall (9) qualified for the Division III MHSAA State Meet in 2 events. Robert, along with teammate Andrew Lowe(11) took home All Conference Honors as well. “This has been our best season ever in terms of points and placing in the Conference Meet” says Coach Julian. “To have 4 dual meet wins, and to be within 7 points of winning another [Tk/Hastings] was phenomenal. Since we are not graduating any Seniors this year I can’t wait to see what we’re going to be able to do next year. We have a lot of young talent and will have some great Senior leadership. I think next season is going to be even better than this one was.”

CONGRATS TO OTTAWA HILLS STUDENT ATHLETES AND THEIR INDIVIDUAL ATHLETIC ACHIEVEMENTS THIS WINTER SPORTS SEASON!!!

OHHS Winter Athletes OK Gold All Conference:
Taisheena Phillips – bowling
Mack Smith – bowling
Westley Brewer – bowling
Andrew Lowe – swimming
Robert Pall – swimming
Shakur Sanders – basketball
Antoine Wilson – basketball
Daryl White – basketball

Honorable Mention:
Abraham Dock – basketball

The Ottawa Men’s Swimming and Diving team suffered their first loss of the season against Wayland last night, despite a great effort from the team. Individual first place finishers were Andrew Lowe, Robert Pall, Gerrit Beltman and Jack Culp.

Ottawa  Hills Men’s Swimming is 3-0 in Dual Meets

The Ottawa Hills Men’s Swimming and Diving team is having it’s best season in a long time, with a 3-0 start to their dual meet season. With wins over Muskegon Catholic Central, Union High School and Creston High School, the Bengals are riding high into a very difficult mid-season stretch. Head Coach Eve Julian, who is in her 7^th season with the team, says this is the best record the men’s team has had since she began coaching. “We have 20 guys on the team this year, and none of them are seniors. They’ve been working really hard and we’re expecting big things for the rest of the season, as well as next year” says Julian. The Bengals are led by Junior captains Gerrit Beltman and Nathan Sherman, as well as Juniors Andrew Lowe, Isaac LaGrand, and Freshmen Robert and Michael Pall. Coach Julian is excited about the level of talent and work ethic on her team. “These guys are here every day, ready to work. They’ve got a great work ethic and it’s really showing in their races. There is a lot more depth on the team this year, and our first year swimmers are progressing really well. I’m really excited to see how they do at the Conference meet in February, I think they’re going to be something special.”

The Bengals next home dual meet is Thursday 1/26 at 6pm against Wayland High School. “Wayland is a big, fast and very experienced team. About half their team is Seniors, I think. It’s going to be a tough meet to win, but I think our top guys will match up well. I think this year we are going to be able to give a couple teams a run for their money” says Julian.