Sophomore Jake Pearson 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
Jake was born in 1994 to parents Janet and Kurt Pearson. Early on in Jake’s life, he knew he loved the water, so it was only natural that he took to swimming at the age of 8.
High School
Jake went to high school at Lincoln Way North High School, and was coached by Pat Shaughnessy. Among other achievements from high school, Jake was a Sectional Champion three out of his four years competing for Lincoln Way North High School. Additionally, Jake earned All-State honors by placing 10th in the 200-yard freestyle and 8th in the 500-yard freestyle at the Illinois State Meet.
College
2013-2014: As a freshman Golden Grizzly, Jake placed top-3 in two of his individual events at the 2014 Horizon League Championships, which helped his team to an overall victory as well.
2014-2015: At the 2015 Horizon League Championships, Jake was the anchor leg on the record setting 800-yard freestyle relay that finished in a time of 6:29.64. The four-man relay took down the Oakland University School record and the Horizon League record, dropping 13.84 seconds from the teams seed time.
At Oakland University, Jake is majoring in Electrical Engineering with a minor in Physics. Jake is coached by Shawn Kornoelje in the distance group.
