Forest Hills Northern High School

Bird-Dogs Secured several podium Finishes at OK Conference Metro Division Championship held by Northview High School. GRAND RAPIDS, MI — The Forest Hills Northern Eastern (FHNE) boys’ swim and dive team delivered a powerhouse performance this past weekend, securing a third-place overall finish at the highly competitive OK Conference Metro Division meet. Competing against a deep field of talent, the "Bird-Dogs" finished the championship with 292 points, trailing only Byron Center and Zeeland East/West. The performance was a statement of the team's depth, as they surged past traditional powerhouse East Grand Rapids and other conference rivals like Jenison and Grand Rapids Northview. Relay Strength Sets the Tone The Bird-Dogs found immediate success in the relay events, which often serve as the backbone of championship scoring. FHNE’s relay squads consistently hovered near the top of the heat sheets, demonstrating the synchronized effort and speed that has defined their 2025-26 season. Individual Standouts The team’s success was driven by a mix of veteran leadership and rising underclassmen. The Bird-Dogs displayed particular strength in the sprint freestyle and individual medley events, where several swimmers touched the wall in the top five to secure critical points for the overall team standings. Building on Momentum This third-place finish is the latest in a string of successes for the program. Earlier this season, the Bird-Dogs claimed victory at the Battle Creek Cereal Bowl Relays, and their performance this weekend reinforces their status as a top-tier contender in West Michigan. As the team prepares for the upcoming MHSAA state finals, the momentum from this podium finish at the OK Metro meet provides a perfect springboard. With the district breaking ground on a new $50 million aquatic center set to open in 2028, the future of Forest Hills swimming looks brighter than ever. The current roster of Bird-Dogs is proving they don't need a new pool to make waves right now. Individual Performances: Perry Douma SR 200 M Free 1:48.24, 100 M Free 49.23, Jack Roman JR 200 M Free 1:49.87, 500 M Free 5:01.10 Lincoln McALpine SR 200 IM 2:01.62, 100 M Breast 1:00.24 Bobby Holter JR 200 IM 2:03.03, 500 M Free 4:53.00 Wyatt Cooper SR 50 Free 23.25, 100 M Fly 52.45 Dante Grossa SR 1M Diving - Conference Champion 456.10 (11 Dives) Kia McGraw FR 1M Diving 337.75 (11 Dives) Parker Nemmers SR 1M Diving 337.35 (11 Dives) Teddy McAlpline FR 1M Diving 267.45 (11 Dives) Kian Sprik SR 100 M Free 48.32, 100 M Back 52.09 Jace Thompson 100 M Breast 1:07.45 Xander Eizans 100 M Breast 1:14.17 Final Standings - OK Metro Division Meet: 1. Byron Center 2. Zeeland East/West 3. Forest Hills Northern Eastern 4. East Grand Rapids 5. Jenison 6. Grand Rapids Northview