Leenhouts Leads Way for Fleetwood Swimming

“It was really exciting but completely unexpected at the same time” Sophomore swimmer Matt Leenhouts said.

Fleetwood’s very own Matt Leenhouts, who placed first in Districts at Bucknell University’s Kinney Natatorium in the 200 freestyle, represents how strong Fleetwood truly is in swimming although it is not advertised as a top sport.

Leenhouts also placed sixth in the State meet in the championship heat for the 500 freestyle–which he only started training for this year–with a time of 4:43.64.

After only swimming for five years and not making states last year, it is a big accomplishment for the sophomore at Fleetwood, and he can only get better as the years go on by training and doing the right things.

“I swim six days a week, sometimes twice a day. I also lift weights four of those days and run the other two” Leenhouts said.

With that kind of training, Leenhouts is in the running for states again next year and may even place first. Michael Phelps isn’t the best role model for swimmers these days; instead, Matt looks up to Olympic Swimmers Ryan Lochte and Jason Lezak. These are two guys who have won medals in the Olympics.

“I wouldn’t want to swim competitively for the rest of my life, but I would like to be around the water, maybe as a coach or something,” Leenhouts said.

It’s nice to see the different sports at which Fleetwood is strong, but many are disappointed the sport isn’t advertised as much as others.

As long as Matt can keep up the good work and continue representing Fleetwood the best way he knows how, swimming can indeed be advertised as it should and won’t be overlooked by most of the school.