KYLE SCHECK
PHOTOGRAPHER
EMMA FIGLEWICZ
PHOTO EDITOR
3/10/2025
The Alma College Swimming and Diving team concluded their 2024-2025 season at MIAA Championships. After a long six month season the team finished their season with a 5th place finish at MIAA Championships.
As the season came to a close, the Scots showcased their growth and resilience, capping off a year that saw personal and team achievements that will be remembered for years to come.
“There were a couple big moments that stood out to me. First, the women defeating Kalamazoo for the first time in thirty years and only the second time ever was a big one. Also, the school records set during the year were very special. [Grace Ludema (‘25)] was able to take down the thirty-year-old 100 free record and [Brent Riehl (‘26)] came out of nowhere during midseason to break the 100-breast record,” said Chris Hamstra, Head Swimming and Diving Coach.
When coming into this season, the Scots had high hopes of achieving the same success they saw in the previous year which saw the team break eight records.
The meet that would come to set the tone for the team’s future success at MIAAs happened two weeks prior on Feb. 8 against Kalamazoo College.
Before going into the meet the team had high hopes that they could beat Kalamazoo College on the women’s side, which hadn’t been done since 1996. Because Alma does not have a diving team they began the meet at a forty-point disadvantage.
However, the Scots were able to make up for this disadvantage and overtook Kalamazoo’s women’s team with the final score being 137-94. The men’s team fell short of winning; however, the men’s team was able to score the closest they ever had to Kalamazoo in over a decade.
“Seeing everyone’s great performance and huge improvements was amazing. I think truly our momentum and belief all winter semester was a sign of the great progress we had made since the beginning of the year which we can be proud of,” said Matt Richmond, Assistant Swimming and Diving Coach.
Going into their championship season each team member had a different outlook on how to achieve their season goals that they made at the beginning of the season.
“Going into this season I was well aware how I did last year. I knew the mistakes I made, and I was determined to stay focused and word hard every single practice, despite the difficulty,” said Eli Mull (’26).
These goals and changes in mindsets would allow for the team to break five school records at MIAA’s. On the women’s side the 100 free record was broken by Ludema. Additionally, the 200 and 400 free relay was broken by Megan Neeley (‘25), Sofia Floros (‘26), Laney Voisinet (‘26) and Ludema. While on the men’s side the 500 free and 1650 free record were both broken by Mull.
“When I was swimming it felt like every pair of eyes was watching and cheering for me. The support from other teams was palpable. I’m very grateful for everyone that believed in me that day,” said Mull.
“The moment I broke the record I felt a sense of relief and peace. This was something I have been working hard toward during my time at Alma. When I saw that time, I immediately felt proud of myself,” said Ludema.
Alongside the numerous records that were achieved at MIAA’s Neeley and Ryan Gray (‘25) were awarded the MIAA Senior Impact Award in recognition of their achievements both in the classroom and in their community.
“It was really cool to be recognized for everything I have done in my four years at Alma. I hope it inspires my teammates to give back in their own way in their remaining time at Alma,” said Gray. Overall, the team plans on building off this progress into next year with one of the largest incoming freshmen classes the team has seen in many years.
The Almanian: News 
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