By Jason Wesseldyk
Sports Editor
It was a blast from the (not-so-distant) past for Allegan swim & dive coach Carol Gephart when the boys’ team hosted Sturgis on Dec. 16.
Six former Allegan swimmers who are now competing at the collegiate level returned to their old stomping grounds to visit Gephart and the current Tigers.
“It was incredibly meaningful for me personally,” Gephart said of the reunion. “I’m always so happy to see them, not just because of what they’ve accomplished, but because they still want to be there.
“It means a great deal to me that they enjoy swimming enough to continue with it, and they’re just genuinely wonderful people. Seeing them back felt very special.”
Three of the six retuning alumni compete for Aquinas College—Conrad Eichbauer, Titus Smith and Nolynn Coombs. Two others—Mikayla Reimink and Brooke Houser—are teammates at Davenport University.
Maddie Antkoviak, who swims for Olivet Nazarene University in Illinois, also returned.
“Many of our former swimmers are home for Christmas, which often brings them back to the pool to swim while visiting,” Gephart said. “I always make a point to let them know they’re welcome anytime.
“During that period, they were all around, swimming and reconnecting, and it felt natural to invite them back together.”
Having the alumni back at the pool was special for the current Allegan swimmers and divers, as many of them grew up watching the alumni
“It had a very positive impact,” Gephart said. “The younger swimmers really look up to the college athletes, and having them back in the water — and even helping at practices — means a lot. Their advice carries real weight, and it’s inspiring for the younger boys to see what’s possible.
“I love having them around. It’s a powerful and motivating experience for the team.”
The fact that so many former members of the Allegan swim & dive program want to return also speaks to the culture of the program.
“I think it reflects the culture we try very intentionally to create,” Gephart said. “I aim to keep things balanced — not overdoing it, not overtraining — so swimmers don’t burn out or grow tired of the sport.
“We focus on keeping swimming fun and positive. I hope the pool feels like a second home to them during the season, and the fact that they come back tells me that it was a healthy and enjoyable experience.”
Gephart cherished her interactions and conversations with the alumni, letting them know how much she appreciates their contributions to the program.
She also shared how proud she is that they continued their careers in the pool beyond the high school level.
“Swimming is a demanding sport, and it takes a lot of discipline to compete at the collegiate level while managing academics and everything else that comes with college life,” she said. “Seeing them succeed and grow is incredibly rewarding, and we’re all very proud of what they’re doing.”
“More than anything, it makes me happiest to know that these athletes enjoy swimming enough to continue beyond high school. That tells me their experience here was positive, and to me, that’s the most important measure of success.”
Gephart is also proud to have had the opportunity to play a role in help to guide the alumni—and all of her former athletes—through their all-important developmental years.
“One purpose of the program is to give kids a real experience of what it’s like to be healthy and fit,” she said. “I try to teach them the reasons behind what we do and help them leave the program with the knowledge and habits required to live a healthy life.
“Even if my athletes don’t end up swimming in college, I feel especially gratified when I see them staying active, eating well and carrying all of that forward into their lives.”
