Former Lakeview standout Smith breaks oldest swimming record at Hope College
bailey smith #baileysmith
Former Lakeview standout Bailey Smith just broke the oldest record in the books for Hope College swimming.
How old is the record?
Well, older than Smith, to start.
Smith broke a Hope record that had lasted for 26 years last week at the MIAA Swimming and Diving Championships at Calvin University. The sophomore from Battle Creek is now the record holder at Hope in the 500 freestyle at 4:29.49.
“I knew I had a shot at it. I have been training to beat that record,” Smith said. “Last year I was three seconds off. But I kind of surprised myself that I actually did it.”
And if Smith needed a little perspective on how long that record has stood, he needed only to talk to one of his teammates, whose father held the best time in that event previously.
Smith’s time smashed the Hope record set by Kirk Assink set in 1995. Assink is the father of Hope sophomore Brant Assink of Holland, who swam in the same race last week at the MIAA Championships as Smith and placed seventh with a time of 4:48.11.
“That’s how I knew how old it was. It was one my teammate’s dad had and I’ve been looking up at it on the board every day,” Smith said. “It’s kind of crazy it has lasted that long. I was just feeling pretty good coming into the meet. Breaking that record, was great. It is one of the longer races, so it hurt really bad, but it felt good when it was over. I have really been in a groove lately so I was thinking I could do it.”
Smith’s record came on Day 1 of the MIAA Championships as Hope eventually took second at the meet, its highest finish since 2014
“Bailey is a talented swimmer,” Hope College head coach Jake Taber said of Smith. “He’s one of those guys who doesn’t just have talent; he’s a student of the sport. He’s seen tremendous drops (in his times) since high school. I’m thrilled with what Bailey did.”
Smith wasn’t finished as he continued to impress in Day 2 of the championships and can now be called the greatest distance swimmer in Hope College history.
Smith set Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association and school records in the 1,650-yard freestyle (15:40.40) in dominating fashion on the final day of the event.
Bailey is now the school-record holder in three events – 500 freestyle, 1,000 freestyle, and the 1,650 freestyle – as well as the MIAA record holder in the 1,650 freestyle.
“It’s really cool. I am still reflecting on what actually happened,” Smith said. “When I see my name up on that record board it will be a weird feeling. I have spent a lot of time looking up at those names on that record board and thinking about what the older guys have done before me. I am excited to be up there with them now. But I know guys coming after me will break my records, too. It’s just great to be a part of it.”
Bill Broderick can be reached at bbroderi@battlecreekenquirer.com. Follow him on Twitter: @billbroderick.
This article originally appeared on Battle Creek Enquirer: Former Lakeview standout Smith breaks oldest swimming record at Hope College