Hamilton graduate Rileigh Eding built a legacy through record-breaking performances, leadership, and dedication that continues to impact the swim and dive program today.
By: Ryan Mannes
When Rileigh Eding stepped on the pool deck at Hamilton, she was more than just another member of the swim team. She was able to set herself apart from other swimmers with her consistently impressive performances and work ethic. This hard work throughout her career paid off and allowed her to shatter records and win multiple state championships.
Rileigh placed first in the 100 backstroke at the 2014 Division 3 state championship and in the 50 freestyle at the 2015 Division 3 state championship. She also collected many accolades throughout her career at Hamilton, including being named Holland Sentinel first-team all-area three times and first-team all-state twelve times, all while being able to maintain an impressive 3.85 GPA. Long-time Hamilton swim coach Eric Talsma saw firsthand how Rileigh’s hard work benefited the team.
Talsma said, “There are so many small and big moments where Rileigh came up big for Hamilton. She was a 12-time All-State athlete, including swimming two different strokes in two different years for our medley relay, on our 200 free relays, and 400 free relays.”
Her versatility was so important to the Hamilton swim team and allowed her to be very successful and set her apart from other swimmers. Rileigh was also able to become a great leader and inspire her teammates to become better athletes.
Talsma said, “She epitomized our goals to work smart and hard to get as close to our potential as we could.”
She was more than just another member of the team because of the impact she left on her teammates and the girls swim and dive program. Not only was she a great athlete, but she was also a great teammate who left a legacy for the future swimmers at Hamilton.
Rileigh’s success and accomplishments in high school opened the door to swimming at the collegiate level, where she continued to build on her accomplishments that defined her high school career. She was recruited by Oakland University and joined their Division 1 swimming program as a freshman in the 2016 season. She then transferred to Albion College, where she saw a lot of success and continued to develop, breaking out as a star on their team.
While at Albion College, she was able to gain more accolades, including MIAA swimmer of the week, many All-MIAA selections, and scholar-athlete All-American honors. While at Albion College, she was a part of the 200, 400, and 800 freestyle relay records in 2019, and the 200 medley relay record in 2020, which all stand today. She also had success in the individual 200 freestyle, where her record still stands today.
Talsma said, “She continued the legacy that was left to her and wanted to make sure that those that came after her understood what we stood for. Smart and hard work that was focused on where we ended the season but also how we applied the lessons learned beyond high school.”
Rileigh was not only a great swimmer, but she was also a great teammate and leader. Her legacy still impacts the Hamilton Swim and Dive program today and sets a standard for current swimmers, not only on how to be a better swimmer but also how to be a better leader and teammate.
