The pools of the Oakland University aquatic center were splashing on Friday, March 12th, and Saturday, March 13th, as the Seaholm boys swimming team gave an above average performance placing 4th in the Division 2 state championship.
“Our goal going into the meet was to swim to the best of our abilities,” said coach Tom Wyllie.
After qualifying a school record 18 swimmers for states, the team delivered and achieved their goal of receiving a trophy for their efforts.
“It was great, things went really well for us and I was happy with my performance. It was good to be part of a great team,” said senior Peter Blank.
Scoring 201.5 points in the two day event, left the maples only falling short of Holland high school, Grosse Pointe South high school, and Birmingham Groves, who nabbed the state title.
“Groves is and was just scary good, they were fast in the water and confident, we had a chance, but didn’t capitalize, I will take fourth any day,” said senior Patrick Williams
The highest placing Maples were the 200 yard medley relay team of seniors Alex Wood, Kyle Eick, Peter Blank, and junior Spencer Rogers, whom placed second only .54 seconds behind Groves.
“The relay team did really well,” said Wood. “Our time was worth a national cut, I was so proud to look at our time and realize how hard work truly pays off.”
The maples grew their loudest during the 500 yard freestyle, where junior Nick Wyllie placed the highest individually for the maples as he finished second edged out third a third place swimmer from Holland by .03 seconds.
“That race was crazy, I was so happy that I came in second,” said Wyllie. “It really couldn’t have gotten closer.”
The success and happiness of the team’s performance was also cast with a gloomy shadow over it, as many seniors realized it was the last time they would swim together as a team.
“I’ll miss being with those guys every day, we became a family I will miss not being able to swim with them again,” said Wood.
After the event swimmers still are in disbelief but are happy of their accomplishments at states including their proud coach.
“With our 4th place finish at the meet, it was nice to be able to reinforce the message that hard work pays off and in the process bring home a trophy for the school.”
