Submitted by Bellingham Bay Swim Team
Bellingham Bay Swim Team’s graduating seniors Olivia Nielsen and Colin Hakeman will continue their swimming careers in college. Squalicum High School senior Nielsen will swim at Loyola Marymount in Los Angeles, California for the Lions in the fall of 2016. At the annual Bellingham Bay Swim Team awards dinner, she was awarded a $700 scholarship for her Academic Achievement with a grade point average (GPA) of 3.993. The academic scholarship was awarded by Whatcom County businesses: Jack Padia of 7-11 on Lakeway, Stir Crazy Mama’s Artworks, Inspired by Design LLC, and Rolfing Bellingham.
Colin Hakeman earned the first-team nod in the 500 freestyle (4:48.88) for the second straight year and in 200 freestyle (1:49.20). Hakeman will swim for the Bearcats at Willamette University. Also graduating from Squalicum with a 3.923 GPA, Hakeman was also a strong contender for the Bellingham Bay Swim Team Academic Achievement Award.
Most remarkable to the Bellingham Bay Swim Team academic scholarship committee in reviewing the candidates’ high school transcripts was the number of Advanced Placement (AP) classes each swimmer matriculated while swimming eight or more practices six days a week. “A life of swimming has provided me with an unwaveringly strong work ethic,” said Nielsen. “Ultimately the ability to proficiently manage time, work tenaciously, and to always find ways to challenge and push myself way beyond limits has not just simply been learned but engraved into me by the sport.”
