By: Tim Davis
Jeremiah Smith-Post is a new swimmer on the Hamilton Boys Swim & Dive team, but he is turning early nerves into varsity confidence.
When Jeremiah Smith-Post first stepped onto the varsity deck in early December, the moment felt different.
The pool was the same size. The strokes were the same. But varsity swimming moves faster physically and mentally. The races are tighter. The expectations are higher. And suddenly, every swim and stroke matters for team points and for yourself.
For Jeremiah, a freshman with a few years of experience in the Hamilton Community Age Group Swim Team, the foundation was there. But translating club success into varsity impact takes adjustment, and he wasn’t scared.
At the Bulldog Invite on Dec. 6, Jeremiah opened his high school season with a 2:39.30 in the 200 IM and a 1:19.57 in the 100 backstroke. Solid swims for the first varsity meet, but it was only the starting point.
I asked, “How’d it feel to step onto the deck?” Jeremiah said, “I felt proud of myself for making it this far.”
That pride and motivation quickly turned into progress.
Just 12 days later against East Grand Rapids and Holland Christian, Jeremiah dropped more than four seconds in the 200 IM, finishing in 2:35.04. In the 100 backstroke, he cut over four seconds, bringing him to 1:15.03. The improvement showed that he was beginning to adjust to the speed and intensity of high school competition.
Over the next month, the drops continued non stop.
By early January at the Zeeland Invite, he swam a 2:31.16 in the 200 IM. Five days later against Thornapple Kellogg, that time fell again to 2:27.87, earning a third-place finish.
At the D3 Midseason Invitational, he remained competitive in a deeper mindset, continuing to build against strong opponents.
By February, the progression was there, people everywhere saw it.
On Feb. 10 against Mona Shores and Grand Rapids Catholic Central, Jeremiah placed second in the 200 IM with a 2:27.85. Two days later at the OK Lakeshore Snow Day Make Up meet, he broke through with a 2:25.90 – more than 13 seconds faster than where he started in December.
“I felt like I grew physically, in strength and endurance.”
The physical growth was evident in both his endurance and consistency. In the 100 backstroke, Jeremiah improved from 1:19.57 at the beginning of the season to 1:12.96 by mid-February.
Along the way, he added multiple top-four finishes in dual meets, including a third-place finish in the 200 IM against GR Christian on Feb. 17.
For Jeremiah, the moment he truly began to feel comfortable on varsity came midseason.
“When I started to perform well for the team, around the D3 invite.”
The 200 IM is one of the most demanding events in swimming. Four strokes. No breaks. It tests endurance, discipline, and mental toughness. For a freshman to embrace that challenge – and improve steadily – speaks to both preparation and resilience.
When the race reaches its most painful stretch, Jeremiah keeps his mindset simple.
“Only 50 more yards to go, just keep those arms going and legs kicking.”
His growth hasn’t gone unnoticed by upperclassmen.
“He has really grown into becoming a man, a freshman who has grown and now knows how to be with older upper class man and have confidence in himself,” said senior Jack.
Early in the season, Jeremiah was still adjusting competitively and socially on the deck.
“He was a little shy and was particularly shy around upper classmen and our coach. Now he is a full part of the team and a friend to all.”
That comfort has translated into confidence in the water.
“He is always willing to listen. To coaches to teammates he is always willing to work. After his
Christmas break experience he has become a truly different beast in the pool.”
Beyond individual time drops, Jeremiah has also become important to Hamilton’s relay depth.
“he has become incredibly important to our sprint relay lineup. We are low on members and having a young guy who can do a 50 is absolutely crucial to our team.”
For many freshmen, the goal is simply to survive varsity competition.
Jeremiah Smith-Post has done more than that.
He has improved by double digits in one of the toughest events in swimming. He has earned key finishes in dual meets. And he has grown from a shy freshman into a reliable contributor in Hamilton’s lineup.
As the season continues, his focus remains simple, and that is to do good and improve.
“My goal is to do my best and try and PR one more time.”
If his first varsity season is any indication, that goal is well within reach.