Coaching Icons: Jane Meyers created diving dynasty at West Ottawa
Editor's Note: Editor's Note: The Sentinel is taking a look at some of the top high school coaches in the area since 2000. It is not a ranking, but a look at some of the coaching success in the area.
Jane Meyers grew up as an elite diver, soaking up knowledge on the sport at a quick rate.
As a coach, that knowledge all came tumbling out.
Meyers began coaching at West Ottawa and turned the program into a diving dynasty.
“Meyers wasn’t the type of coach to just clock in and clock out, she was extremely passionate and caring even beyond the board,” Jordan Welling said. “She cared how our personal lives were and how our grades were looking. Meyers was more than just a coach to me, she was like a mother and always pushed me to be the best version of myself. She taught me to always keep my head up and work to achieve what I want in life. It was truly an honor to be coached by one of the most elite coaches in Michigan.”
For caring like a mother, she has affectionately been known as “Mommy Meyers” for years.
“We all call her 'Mommy Meyers for a reason,” said Jessica Elzinga (DeBrota). “What made Meyers such a great coach is that she really believed in you, not only was she your coach but she would become one of your biggest fans. She has a passion for the sport which rubs off on you and she becomes like another parent.”
Meyers coached several all-state divers, but the past 15 years has been something rarely seen by any school.
During that time, she has coached two state champions as well as 10 future NCAA Division I divers, as well as four Division II divers. That is nearly one scholarship diver per year.
“I owe my entire diving career on her! Sixth-grade try outs. I had never stepped on an actual diving board ever. I made a complete fool of myself. Through all those fails she saw my determination and gave me a chance. From there I dove six years under her coaching and went off to a Division 1 school to dive three more years. That tryouts and her generosity changed my life.”
Natalie Stitt and Dani VanderZwaag earned Division 1 state championships. Stitt's came the same year teammate Sarah Parker finished third. Stitt (Notre Dame), Parker (Bowling Green), Elzinga (Ball State), Missy Butcher (Oakland) and Mike Ledesma (Oakland) were all on the team at the same time for at least a year — five Division I divers.
“I am so grateful that Meyers was my coach in high school,” said Stitt (Murphy). “I had just started diving, and she helped me grow and develop in my skills so much, helping me to gain confidence in the dives that made me anxious. I think what made her such a wonderful coach is that she truly cared about each and every one of the divers on her team. She made us feel loved, and she was unafraid to show her goofy and crazy side, putting us at ease around her. At a state meet one year, she came into the room that Jess and I shared, and she jumped around on our beds like a little kid, showing us how excited she was for us to compete the following day. She knew how to put a smile on our faces before it was time to compete. She had a way of making you feel as though she was always on your side and rooting for you to be the absolute best person and diver you could be.”
“Her nickname is Mama Meyers because she’s like a proud mother hen,” said Emma VonHoltz. “If you put in the work and listen to her, she can get you to where you want to be in life. She always loved us like we were her own kids. She’s smart, knows the diving world inside out and backwards, and is such a kind and loving person, with a little kick of sass thrown in. She helped turn me from a shy, not confident, sad kid, into a strong, confident, independent young lady that doesn’t take no for an answer. She will be missed greatly in the diving world, but I’m glad that I got to have the years with her that I had. She graced the diving community with her sass, knowledge, and happiness, and it will never be forgotten.”
Contact sports editor Dan D’Addona at Dan.D’Addona@hollandsentinel.com. Follow him on Twitter @DanDAddona or Facebook @HollandSentinelSports.
This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: Coaching Icons: Jane Meyers created diving dynasty at West Ottawa
