To be considered good at a sport takes dedication and hard work. But to truly excel at a sport is something that rarely happens.

    Senior Jake Hunt, who has been swimming competitively since he was 5 at the Muskegon Country Club, is one of those who has excelled since day one.

    "I stood out at during swim lessons, and I have always enjoyed swimming," Hunt said. "It is just something I like to do, and I am good at it."

    After the country club, Hunt joined the swim team at the YMCA, where he made it to the state meet every year, and during his sophomore year, he made it to nationals for YMCA.

    "I have been swimming with Jake for a long time," senior Brad Otto said. "He challenges me all the time, and he makes me work harder."

    Hunt has transferred that success to the high school team making the high school state meet all four years. His freshman and sophomore season ended in disappointment as he fell ill before his events. As a junior, Hunt placed third at state in the 100-meter butterfly and competed in the 50-meter freestyle.

    This year, Hunt has qualified for the State meet in three individual events and one relay.

    "My freshman and sophomore years were disappointing because I became ill and swam bad," Hunt said. "I was still disappointed last year though because I did not swim to the best of my ability, but a third-place finish was nice."

    Hunt currently holds nine school records, including six individuals and three relay records.

    Hunt is not the only one in his family who has experienced success while swimming. His sophomore sister Sarah also has been swimming since she was 5 and is on the girls’ high school team.

    "I started to swim at an early age because of Jake," Sarah said. "He motivates me a lot to do my best."

    If two siblings participate in the same sport, there is usually a rivalry. For the Hunts, though, there is no rivalry at all.

    "Jake and I never get competitive," Sarah said. "It might be because I am girl and he is a boy, but we just motivate each other in positive ways."

    While Sarah has two years left in high school, Jake will continue his success in swimming at Hope College next year.

    "I am pretty excited to swim for Hope next year," Jake said. "It is going to be a whole new challenge and a great experience."