Freshman Holly Morren currently competes for Oakland University, a swim and dive team in their second year as members of the Horizon League. Pete Hovland is the head coach at Oakland University, assisted by Shawn Kornoelje, Katie Sullivan, Andre Latour, Blaine Dolcetti, and Larry Albright (Diving). Oakland Swimming and Diving is known for their long history of success in the pool, starting in the Division II days. In Division II, Oakland won 20 National Championships between the Men and Women’s teams. After Oakland moved up to Division I, the teams continued their winning tradition, being undefeated at the conference championships 16 years in a row. Oakland University athletes are also known as the Golden Grizzlies. (Oakland University Golden Grizzlies Athletics, 2015)
Background:
Holly was born in 1995 to parents Donald Morren and Candice Solis. She began swimming at the age of 10, after participating in swim lessons. Holly quickly discovered that she really enjoyed the sport, so she took to it full time.
High School
At Holland High School, Holly was coached by Don Kimble. She helped lead her team to three consecutive MHSAA Division II State Championships her sophomore, junior, and senior year at Holland. As an individual, Holly was the 100-yard freestyle champion at the MHSAA DII State Championship as a junior, and the 50-yard freestyle champion her senior year.
College
2014-2015: As a member of three 1st-place relay’s at the 2015 Horizon League Championships, Holly helped lead the Golden Grizzlies to a team championship. She swam the butterfly leg on the Oakland University school-record setting 200-yard medley relay, and anchored the Horizon League-record setting 400-yard freestyle relay. Individually, Holly finished top-5 in the 50-yard freestyle, 100-yard butterfly, and 100-yard freestyle as a freshman.
At Oakland University, Holly currently swims with her brother Jeremiah Morren in the sprint group, and is coached by Andre Latour.
