3 Best Friends Commit to 3 Different Universities

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West Michigan Swimmers teammates Paige Hoeve, Jacklyn VandePoel, and Janise Everest have all committed to swim in college. Best friends at the pool and out of the pool, they will spend the next four years apart; each has chosen a different school to call home in the fall of 2016.

Paige Hoeve

Hoeve committed to the nearby Grand Valley State University, about a 30-45 minute drive away from her hometown of Zeeland, Michigan. Hoeve is a senior at Zeeland West High School. At the 2014 MHSAA Division I Girls State meet, she placed third in the 100 yard breaststroke. She also swam in all three relays, which helped her team place fifth in the state meet. Hoeve hopes to bring her breaststroke strength to GVSU as well has her sprint freestyle abilities to the Lakers’ relays.

Hoeve’s best times are:

• 100 breast – 1:05.24
• 100 free – 54.29
• 50 free – 25.35

Jacklyn VandePoel

VandePoel committed to swim at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia. VandePoel’s older sister Colleen also attends ODU. Jacklyn is a senior at West Ottawa High School in Holland, Michigan. At the 2014 OK Red Conference Championships, VandePoel won both of her individual events, 200 IM and 500 free. She was also an important member of the Panthers’ 200 and 400 freestyle relays. VandePoel is very versatile and hopes to fill in wherever ODU needs her most.

VandePoel’s best times:

• 200 IM – 2:07.37
• 100 back – 57.23
• 200 back – 2:03.11
• 50 free – 24.85
• 100 free – 53.52
• 500 free – 5:04.34

Janise Everest

Everest committed to Illinois State University, where her older sister, Jillena, also attends. Janise is a senior at Zeeland East High School. Everest’s and Hoeve’s high schools combine to make one swim team.Everest is a breaststroke-dominant swimmer with strong abilities in IM and butterfly as well. She placed fifth in the 100 breast at the 2014 MHSAA Division I Girls State Meet.

Everest’s best times:

• 100 breast – 1:05.36
• 200 breast – 2:26.09
• 200 IM – 2:10.96
• 100 fly – 59.42

Hoeve, VandePoel, and Everest have the MHSAA Division I Girls State Meet on November 20th and 21st at the Holland Aquatic Center. They will have home-pool advantage and hope to finish off their high school careers with a bang.

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