Junior Mitch Alters 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)
Biography
Mitch was born in 1993 to parents Tim and Ninette Alters. He has been swimming competitively since he was six years old. Mitch developed a love for the water early on, and taking swim lessons got him hooked on the sport of swimming. Since then, swimming has been a huge part of Mitch’s life
High School
While attending Hoover High School, Mitch competed for the Varsity Swim Team under Matt Johnsen. Mitch also swam for Sam Seiple and Canton City Schools (CCS) in the off season. Some of his highlights from high school include earning All-State honors all four years at Hoover High School. Mitch also earned the title of All-American his sophomore, junior and senior years of competition.
College
2012-2013: In his freshman year at Oakland University, Mitch finished runner up in the 400-yard IM as well as the 200-yard butterfly at the 2013 Summit League Championships. He also scored fourth in the 500-yard freestyle at the same meet. Those times earned Mitch All-League Honors for the Summit League.
2013-2014: Now a sophomore, Mitch posted Top-8 finishes in all of his events in Oakland’s first showing at the Horizon League Championships. He finished third in the 200-yard butterfly, fourth in the 500-yard freestyle, and seventh in the 400-yard IM. Mitch’s time in the 200-yard butterfly (1:48.37) was the fifth fastest time in school history for that event.
Mitch is majoring Exercise Science, and swims in the Mid-Distance Group.
