Freshman Ayrton Kasemets currently competes for Oakland University, a swim and dive team in their second year as members of the Horizon League. Pete Hovland is the head coach at Oakland University, assisted by Shawn Kornoelje, Katie Sullivan, Andre Latour, Blaine Dolcetti, and Larry Albright (Diving). Oakland Swimming and Diving is known for their long history of success in the pool, starting in the Division II days. In Division II, Oakland won 20 National Championships between the Men and Women’s teams. After Oakland moved up to Division I, the teams continued their winning tradition, being undefeated at the conference championships 16 years in a row. Oakland University athletes are also known as the Golden Grizzlies. (Oakland University Golden Grizzlies Athletics, 2015)
Background
Ayrton was born in 1995 to parents Tonis and Ilona Kasemets. He began swimming at the age of 7, because his parents had encouraged him to learn how to swim. Early on, Ayrton knew that land-based sports were not something he enjoyed, so swimming was a natural fit.
High School
At Mundelein High School, Ayrton swam under Ranul Sethna for the Varsity Swim Team. He currently holds 3 school records for his team at Mundelein. Ayrton also earned All-State and All-American honors while competing in high school. One of Ayrton’s highlights include his 4th place finish at the Illinois State Swimming and Diving Championships in the 100-yard breaststroke. In the same event, Ayrton touched first for the county and conference championships.
College
2014-2015: The highlight from Ayrton’s first year as a Golden Grizzly was from the Oakland vs. Milwaukee rivalry duel meet, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. At this swim meet, Ayrton finished 1st in the 100-yard and 200-yard breaststroke, which aided the team in an overall victory.
Ayrton is currently majoring in Actuarial Sciences, and competes in the breaststroke and individual medley events. He trains with coaches Blaine Dolcetti, Shawn Kornoelje, and Pete Hovland.
