Dear BAC Sharks,
I would like to take a moment to recognize and celebrate some outstanding accomplishments within our BAC Sharks swim program, including a remarkable achievement by our swim coach and the continued success of our collegiate swimmers.
First, congratulations to BAC Head Swim Coach Paul Ellis, who recently earned his fourth consecutive Michigan State Championship as Head Coach of the Cranbrook Kingswood boys swim team. This is an incredible accomplishment and a testament to Paul’s leadership, dedication, and excellence—qualities he brings to our BAC Sharks program every day.
I would also like to highlight several BAC Sharks swimmers who have competed at the collegiate level this year:
Julia Waechter, a senior at Miami University, is completing her final collegiate season. This year she served as team captain and earned Second Team All-MAC (Mid-American Conference) honors. At the MAC Championships she placed 7th in the 100 Freestyle, 7th in the 50 Freestyle, and 8th in the 200 Freestyle.
Eliza Dixon is finishing up her senior year at Case Western Reserve University. She will be competing in the upcoming Division 3 NCAA Championship for her 4th consecutive year. This year she was selected for both the 200 and 400 freestyle relays. She will also swim the 200 and 400 medley relays as bonus events. Eliza will graduate in May with a degree in biomedical engineering. She is returning to Michigan and will once again coach for Red Run before beginning her full time job with Medtronic.
George Marsh, a sophomore at Hope College, will be competing in the NCAA Division III National Championships for the second time. He will swim the 50 Freestyle and the 200 Freestyle Relay. This season George earned All-Conference honors, recorded the second fastest 50 Freestyle in program history, and achieved an individual NCAA B cut.
George Witte, a freshman at Grove City College, will also be competing at the NCAA Championships. George qualified as part of four relay teams and will swim the 200 Freestyle Relay, 200 Medley Relay, 400 Freestyle Relay, and 400 Medley Relay. Other Awards: Presidents’ Athletic Conference Individual Champion 200 Freestyle, Presidents’ Athletic Conference Individual Champion 200 Backstroke, Presidents’ Athletic Conference Champion 400 Freestyle Relay, Presidents’ Athletic Conference Record Holder 200 Freestyle Relay, Presidents’ Athletic Conference Record Holder 200 Medley Relay, Presidents’ Athletic Conference Record Holder 400 Medley Relay, Presidents’ Athletic Conference 1st Team All-Conference
The NCAA Division III National Championships begin tomorrow, and we wish all of our swimmers the very best as they compete on the national stage. We are incredibly proud of these athletes and their continued success at the collegiate level.
If you would like to cheer them on, you can tune in to watch the meet live on NCAA.com.
Warm regards,
Gretchen Moran Marsh
Vice President, Birmingham Athletic Club