Steven van Deventer
Steven van Deventer (senior) finished strong at the NCAA Division III Championships, placing second overall in the 200-yard breaststroke and 5th in the 100-yard breaststroke.
Though he claimed the national champion title for 200 breast in 2013 and 2014, van Deventer nevertheless swam an impressive 1:58.84 in this year’s event.
Van Deventer said he was happy with his performance and saw it as a great way to end his career. He predicts good things for the team looking forward, too.
“I think we have a bright future with the new pool and a great coach,” van Deventer said.
After being ranked second in Division III in the 200 breast event, fourth in the 100 breast and 19th in the 200-yard individual medley early in the season, van Deventer was a shoo-in for this year’s championships.
Overall, the Occidental men’s swim team finished 28th at the NCAA Championships.
Van Deventer is majoring in physics and minoring in computer science. He keeps a very busy schedule, interning at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory as well as holding several jobs on campus. Although his plans for the future are not yet certain, van Deventer hopes to stay in the L.A. area post-graduation.
Van Deventer is excited for whatever comes next in his life, but will miss his teammates next year.
“Swimming itself isn’t very fun,” he joked. “Having the team there to laugh with makes it worth it.”
Ella Inman
Ella Inman (junior) shot a 15-over 87, her career low, on day one of the Cal Lutheran invitational March 16-17, leading the Tigers to an 8th place finish. Inman played solidly on day two as well, finishing with an 89.
Inman’s extra motivation came from her parents, who flew out from Michigan to watch her play. She finished 30th overall in the large field of players present.
Head coach Andrew Larkin was especially proud of Ella’s performance.
“To open with her career low and then back it up with another one of her best rounds at Oxy was special,” he said. “She has made a ton of progress this season and this was a reflection of her hard work.”
After surgery to repair a torn ACL last June, Inman has certainly bounced back despite her lowered expectations for the season.
“I didn’t have a lot of high expectations for this season, I have mostly just been working on rehabbing my knee and playing consistent golf,” Inman said. “It’s good to know my hard work has paid off and I am still continuing to improve.”
While the small team of four is facing a difficult season, Inman is proving to be much more than up to par.
“Ella has been not only a hard worker during her time at Oxy, but a strong leader and great teammate,” Larkin said. “She brings a great attitude and competitive fire that pushes her teammates every day.”
Inman is majoring in economics, and when she’s not on the fairway she spends her time as a member of Oxypreneurship and Delta Omicron Tau sorority.
A lifelong golfer, Inman most enjoys the balance between mental challenges and physical technique that golf requires.
“It is always nice to get a break from school and get off campus while playing [for] a few hours,” Inman said.
