The Flying Dutchmen finished 13th among 47 teams who scored at the NCAA Division III swimming and diving championships which concluded in Atlanta, Ga. on Saturday night.

Kenyon, Ohio repeated as national champion scoring 756.5 points. Hope collected 95.5 points with three All-America performances and five honorable mention All-America finishes.

On Saturday the 400-yard freestyle relay finished eighth (3:05.57) to achieve All-America honors for the fourth consecutive year. The relay members were freshman David Ornee, sophomore Jeff Heydlauff, junior Chris Hamstra and senior Brian Slagh.

Slagh ended his collegiate career with an honorable mention All-America effort in the 100-yard freestyle, finishing 15th (:46.53). He earlier finished 7th in the 200-yard freestyle and 14th in the 50-yard freestyle. During his career he was an All-American 11 times, four times in individual events and seven times in relays.

Junior Ian Kobes finished 21st in the 200-yard backstroke (1:54.80) in another Saturday event. He earlier was 10th in the 100-yard backstroke.

Hope's other All-America performance in the meet came with a 7th place finish in the 200-yard freestyle relay.

SECOND DAY - Friday, March 21
Brian Slagh Repeats as NCAA Freestyle All-American
Senior Brian Slagh achieved All-America status for a third consecutive year in the 200-yard freestyle to highlight Hope College performances Friday at the NCAA Division III swimming championships being held in Atlanta, Ga.

Slagh was sixth in the 200 free (1:41.13) for his best career finish at the national meet. He finished seventh as both a junior and sophomore. He has now been an NCAA All-American 11 times in his career, four times as an individual and seven times in relays.

The Flying Dutchmen had two honorable mention All-America performances on Friday.

Junior Ian Kobes finished second in the consolation finals and 10th overall in the 100-yard backstroke (:51.79). It marks the third consecutive year he has been among the nation's top backstrokers. He was 7th in the 100 a year ago and 16th in 2001.

Hope also achieved honorable mention All-America recognition by finishing 10th overall in the 200-yard medley relay (1:34.08) with a team of Ian Kobes, Ross Geurink, Daniel Bouwens and Jeff Heydlauff.

Hope stands 13th in the team standings after Friday's competition with 71.5 points. The competition concludes Saturday.

FIRST DAY - Thursday, March 20
Flying Dutchmen Off to Good Start at Nationals

The Flying Dutchmen opened competition in the NCAA Division III swimming championships with an All-America finish and two honorable mention All-America performances on Thursday night.

The national meet is being held at Emory University in Atlanta, Ga. through Saturday.

After the first day of competition Hope ranks 10th in the standings with 39 points. Defending national champion Kenyon already has 230 points.

For the third consecutive year, Hope's 200-yard freestyle relay achieved NCAA All-America status by finishing seventh (1:24.21) in the finals. The relay members were freshman Travis Barkel, junior Chris Hamstra, sophomore Jeff Heydlauff and senior Brian Slagh. Barkel, Hamstra and Slagh are all graduates of Zeeland (Mich.) High School.

Slagh has now been an All-American 10 times in his career while Hamstra has achieved the distinction seven times. Heydlauff has been an All-American in the 200 free relay for two consecutive years.

Slagh finished 14th (:21.35) in the 50-yard freestyle to gain honorable mention All-America honors. Competing in the sprint event at nationals for the first time in his career, he has now been either an All-American or honorable mention All-American in four different freestyle events (50, 100, 200 and 500).

The Flying Dutchmen finished fourth in the consolation finals and 11th overall in the 400-yard medley relay (3:27.30). Members of the relay were junior Ian Kobes, junior Ross Geurink, senior Daniel Bouwens and Brian Slagh.

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