HCHS Swimmer, Ian Miskelley dies at the age of 18 years

Ian Miskelley ’18 joined HCHS for only his senior year, but even during that short time he impacted many of more lives in the classroom and on the swim team.

His stellar swimming helped significantly in winning our boys swimming state championship that year.

Ian was a quiet leader and hard worker, and his presence helped us as we grieved another swimming teammate from that summer, Riley Hoeksema. We are grateful to have known Ian, and our lives were blessed by his, as tragically short as it was.

Please join us in praying for his family especially at this time.

Miskelley was a 19 year-old swimmer who won multiple Division 3 state swim championships at Holland Christian before heading off to Ann Arbor to join the Wolverines’ swim team. A cause of death was not released.

“The University of Michigan swimming and diving program is deeply saddened to report that men’s swimmer Ian Miskelley passed away on Monday,” stated Michigan’s swimming and diving Twitter account. “This tragic news is utterly devastating to our team. Our condolences go out to the Miskelley family during this incredibly difficult time.”

He specialized in the backstroke and individual medley, won four state championships his senior year in 2018 for the Maroons. He took top honors in the 100 backstrokes and 200 individual medley, and he swam a leg on Holland Christian’s first-place 200 freestyle and 200 medley relays. His efforts helped the Maroons capture the state title. He holds state records in the 200 IM and the 200 medley relay.

At Michigan, Miskelley was Academic All-Big Ten his sophomore season, and he earned U of M Athletic Academic Achievement as a freshman. He also excelled in youth swimming, qualifying for the U.S. Nationals in 2017.

According to Michigan Swimming & Diving The first visitation will be held from 3-6 p.m. on Friday at Langeland-Sterenberg Funeral Home in Holland. A second visitation will be held from 9:30-11 a.m. on Saturday at Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church with a funeral mass to follow.

The University of Michigan swimming and diving program is deeply saddened to report that men’s swimmer Ian Miskelley passed away on Monday. pic.twitter.com/R8eiUgPSYG

— Michigan Swimming & Diving (@umichswimdive) September 10, 2020

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Ian Miskelley Memorial Fund C/O the Holland/Zeeland Community Foundation, 85 E. 8th Street, Suite 110, Holland MI 49423.

— Michigan Swimming & Diving (@umichswimdive) September 10, 2020

This tragic news is utterly devastating to our team. Our condolences go out to the Miskelley family during this incredibly difficult time.

— Michigan Swimming & Diving (@umichswimdive) September 10, 2020