The Flying Dutchmen have qualified seven swimmers for the 2007 NCAA Division III men's swimming and diving championships to be held March 15-17 at the University of Houston, Tex.

Coach John Patnott's Dutchmen are eligible to compete in all five relays and six individual events.  The eligible swimmers include three freshmen, two sophomores, a junior and senior.

Qualifiers are freshman Phil Heyboer of Zeeland, Mich. (Holland Christian HS); senior co-captain Jake Holton of Chelsea, Mich. (Chelsea HS); sophomore Stephen Kurti of Battle Creek, Mich. (Lakeview HS); freshman Ryan Nelis of Holland, Mich. (West Ottawa HS); freshman Matt Rose of Grandville, Mich. (Grandville HS); junior Charles VanderBroek of Holland, Mich. (Holland HS); and sophomore Ryan Vogelzang of Holland, Mich. (Holland Christian HS).

A year ago the Flying Dutchmen finished  16th at the national championships behind one All-America and five honorable mention All-America performances.

None of this year's qualifiers have competed in an individual event at nationals. Eligible for individual events are Phil Heyboer, Matt Rose, Ryan Nelis and Charles Vanderbroek.  Jake Holton Stephen Kurti and Ryan Vogelzang rounded out Hope's relay entries.

The 400-yard freestyle relay is Hope highest seeded entry at 7th (3:04.76).  The seedings of other relays are 200 freestyle, 11th (1:23.66); 800 freestyle, 13th (6:54.95); 400 medley, 14th (3:27.33) and 200 medley (1:34.78).

A year ago the 400 free relay finished 10th, the 200 free and 800 free were each 12th, and the 200 medley was 13th.

Eligible to compete in individual events are:

° Phil Heyboer - 200 backstroke, seeded 8th (1:52.11); 400 individual medley, seeded 10th (4:04.53); 200 individual medley, seeded 25th (1:54.86).

° Ryan Nelis - 100 butterfly, seeded 14th (:50.66); 200 individual medley, seeded 19th (1:54.59); and 100 freestyle, seeded 41st (:49.43).

° Matt Rose - 100 freestyle, seeded 29th (:46.49)

° Charles VanderBroek - 200 freestyle, seeded 22nd (1:42.33)

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