GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (GRPS) -- The water at Ottawa Hills High School seems to hold stories—of athletes who grew up in these lanes and of teams built on unity and grit. As the Bengals begin a new season, that tradition feels as strong as ever.
Assistant coach Rebecca Beltran said her biggest hope is that the swimmers “come out of it being better people,” while continuing to sharpen their skills in the pool. Practices follow a steady rhythm of stretching, warmup laps, and workouts tailored to each athlete’s level, with lane groups ranging from beginners to seasoned upperclassmen. What stands out most to Beltran is the team’s bond. “They’re a really good group,” she said. “The team culture is a beautiful thing.”
Honoring a Leader: Coach Eve Julian
At the center of that culture is longtime head coach Eve Julian, whose leadership has shaped the Bengals for years. Beltran said Julian has a gift for holding athletes accountable while allowing them to support one another in ways that make the whole team thrive. This year, Julian’s year of dedication were recognized nationally: she received the 2025 National Interscholastic Swim Coaches Association’s Collegiate/Interscholastic Award, one of the highest honors in high school swimming for coaches across the country.
Senior Leaders Setting the Tone
Seniors Tristin Stott and Sani Shema, both freestyle and breaststroke swimmers, are the steady leaders guiding the Bengals this season. For Stott, the heart of the program is its sense of community. “The community, the team bond that comes with it, the culture, and the experiences you make are why I love it,” he said. It’s a bond that motivates him not just to perform in the pool but to lift others up as well. His goal this year is to inspire younger swimmers, helping them “stay motivated even when times get hard.”
Shema brings a quieter, reflective kind of leadership. He draws strength from the shared effort and dedication of the team over the years, and before every race, he looks to his teammates for focus and energy. Talking with them helps him channel nerves into determination, keeping connection at the center of his preparation. Together, Stott and Shema set the tone for the Bengals—leading by example, fostering team spirit, and reminding everyone that success in the pool is inseparable from the support and culture built on deck.
Shema’s Comeback: A Season of Determination
This year, one of the team’s most meaningful storylines belongs to Sani Shema, who is returning to competition after spinal surgery that kept him out of the water for months. He has approached his comeback with determination, working to relearn movements and rebuild strength without letting the injury define him.
“I don’t want to use my surgery as an excuse,” he said. “I know I can do it.” His goal is simple but powerful: to get back to form and rejoin the community that supported him throughout his recovery.
Moving Forward Together
Whether navigating the mental game of close races or pushing through the challenges of a long season, the Bengals demonstrate resilience, focus, and a deep sense of camaraderie. Seniors like Tristin Stott inspire their teammates through example and encouragement, while Sani Shema channels determination and connection into every race. Guided by an award-winning coach and a culture built on accountability and support—including Beltran as well as dive coach Ashley Keener, who is a former Ottawa Hills swimmer and diver herself—the Bengals are looking forward to a season that not only fosters lasting friendships, but produces record-breaking performances along the way.
Important Season Dates:
- City Sprint Relays at City High Middle School: December 13
- OHHS Bows Swim Invitational: January 24
- MISCA Diving at Calvin University: January 30-31
- Conference Meet: February 27-28
- MHSAA Regional Diving: March 5
- MHSAA Swim Finals: March 13-14
