Saline Swimmer Nikki Flynn to Join Golden Grizzlies

As a Hornet, Nikki Flynn has been there every step up the ladder as the Saline girls swim and dive team developed into a state powerhouse.

Next year, Flynn will swim with the Oakland University Golden Grizzlies.

Thursday, surrounded by her parents Jeff and Lisa, coach Todd Brunty and athletic director Rob White, Flynn signed a letter of intent to continue her studies and swimming career at Oakland University. Flynn, who received an athletic scholarship, plans to study nutritional sciences.

Flynn said she was thrilled to be going to OU for her education and athletics.

‘The facilities are incredible. It’s not even going to seem like school or a chore for me. It seems like I’ll be going on vacation,” said Flynn.

Her father, Jeff, said Nikki toured the campus and was impressed by professors and the coaches.

“Oakland University doesn’t have a football program. Swimmers are the studs at that school. They have a terrific swim program,” he said. “She met some of the professors and they seemed really interesting. The academic considerations were very important in her decision.”

Flynn holds several school records. She swam for the medley and 200-freestyle relay teams that set school records. Individually, she also has the record in the 50-yard and 100-yard freestyle events.

Coach Brunty said Flynn has played an important role in the rise of the Saline swim and dive program.

“I’m proud of her and happy for her. (A scholarship) is what you want for all of your athletes and it is certainly what I wanted for her,” Brunty said. “She’s been here every step of the way up the ladder. She’s played a big part in getting us where we are now and where we will continue to be even after she’s graduated.”

Flynn began swimming with Saline Stingrays as a sixth grader. Rather than swim with the novice program, she swam with her more experienced friends.

In her freshman year, she and the Lady Hornets nearly beat Ann Arbor Pioneer.

“That was the highlight of our year. We were so excited,” Flynn said.

That year, Flynn made the state cut and swam with her teammates at the state meet. Saline finished fourth—the first time it had finished so high at the state meet.

The Hornets went undefeated and won state championships in her sophomore and junior years. Now a senior co-captain, the Flynn and the Hornets are undefeated this season as they prepares for the state meet.

“It really means a lot to have an influence on the team. But what I like most is the way the team works. I help the other girls and they help me. It’s everyone working together that makes it really memorable,” Flynn said.