GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (GRPS) -- The Ottawa Hills Bengals girls swim and dive team is hitting the water the season with high expectations and even higher levels of commitment. With recent success that includes conference champions and state qualifiers, the Bengals are aiming to continue their legacy of excellence while nurturing the unique camaraderie that sets them apart.
According to Head Coach Alex Brinks, “It has been great to see the development of the program as we have gone from having just a handful of athletes on the team to either conference champions or runner-up over the recent years.”
Much of that growth has been driven by dedicated athletes who have stepped up both in and out of the pool. Last season, standout swimmer Lily Rodas capped off her junior year with an all-conference award and the opportunity to swim in all three relay events at the MHSAA Division 2 State Meet. Now a senior, Rodas hopes to help lead the team to similar success, while also embracing her role as a mentor.
“Ever since I’ve been on this team, I’ve always felt supported and have formed deep, lifelong connections with teammates,” she says. As a senior, she now looks forward to serving as the “older sister” to her younger teammates.
This “sisterhood,” as Rodas calls it, defines the Bengals’ team atmosphere. Whether it’s through grueling sets in the pool or bonding outside of practice, the swimmers rely on one another for motivation and support.
“The team has a fun and supportive atmosphere,” says fellow senior Eleanor Gloege. “We always push each other to be our best in the water, and we have a great time together out of the water.”
Rodas adds, “The Bengals girls swim team is what I like to think of as the embodiment of what sisterhood is. We celebrate the wins and the challenges we go through as a team, but also the ones we go through alone. The team creates a safe, second-family kind of environment where everyone feels comfortable talking and listening to anyone on the team.”
This connection extends into every lane and every practice. The Bengals train throughout the week, including biweekly early morning practices in addition to their daily afternoon pool sessions.
Instead of dreading these early hours, Rodas embraces them. “Personally, I love morning practices,” she said. “I always feel a lot more productive and ready for the rest of the day. Also, I love getting breakfast with my teammates before school.”
Despite the intensity of the training schedule, the Bengals stay motivated through the culture they've built. “My teammates help me stay motivated,” Gloege explains. “We have created a culture where it is the norm to work hard, and it pays off at the end of every season.”
Coach Brinks agrees. “Joining the Swimming & Diving team is certainly very challenging, but it is also one of the most rewarding experiences a high school athlete can have, and we encourage anyone who has thought about it to give it a try,” he said. “We also hope that everyone will join us for our first home dual meet on Sept. 9th and then again at the Ottawa Hills Invitational on Oct. 11th!”
With leadership from seniors like Gloege and Rodas, plus a tradition of sending athletes to compete at the state level, Ottawa Hills is poised for another strong season. But beyond the times on the clock and the medals on the wall, it's the team's commitment to making each other better that truly defines this Bengals swim and dive program.
