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Rileigh Eding from Hamilton, Michigan, will head east across the state to Rochester to attend Oakland University, after having given the Grizzlies a verbal commitment last week.
“Oakland is a great fit for me both in the classroom and in the pool. I’m so excited to join the Golden Grizzly family.”
Eding attends Hamilton High School where she trains under coach Eric Talsma. She also swims for the West Michigan Swimmers from Zeeland, Michigan, under coach Cody Tozer. In middle school, Eding participated in soccer, volleyball, basketball, and swimming; in high school she ran track for a year before committing to swimming on a year round basis.
Eding is the defending MHSAA Division 3 Girls State Champion in the 100 back. She was also eighth in the 200 free at the 2014 State Meet. As a sophomore she was runner-up in the 100 back and placed ninth in the 50 free. Eding also leads off Hamilton’s medley relay and has swum on the 200 and 400 free relays during the past two years.
Eding is a Winter Juniors qualifier in the 100m backstroke. Her top SCY times include:
- 50 back – 28.27
- 100 back – 56.37
- 200 back – 2:12.59
- 50 free – 24.25
- 100 free – 52.97
- 100 fly – 1:00.40
Eding shared with SwimSwam, “In 2013 I was diagnosed with a benign brain tumor. The tumor does not provide any major problems for me.” Indeed it doesn’t, as she has continued to improve steadily, and across all events, over the last several seasons. Eding’s best 100 back time would have scored fifth at the 2015 Horizon League Championships. She would have been first alternate in both the 50 free and 100 free, since the Horizon League only scores two finals.
The Grizzlies should get an immediate boost from Eding, as she will have a shot at securing spots on most of the relays, in addition to the strength she will bring to the backstroke group.
Another, more personal, reason why Eding chose Oakland, “My high school assistant coach, JulieAnne Stears, and my babysitter (when I was younger), Jade Evink, both swam at Oakland and had great experiences there.”
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Congrats Rileigh! That’s cool! You’ll be a great rep for Hamilton on the east side.