Sophomore Tuomas Kiviluoma 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:
Born in 1993 to parents Kelio and Minna Kiviluoma, Tuomas followed his siblings footsteps to the pool. Tuomas was 7 years old when he began swimming, and he also played soccer. Eventually, as Tuomas got older, swimming became a full-time commitment.
High School:
Tuomas had many successes in the pool during his high school years. His highlights include winning several medals at the Finnish Junior and Senior National meets. Tuomas also represented Finland at the European Junior Championships in 2010.
College:
2013-2014: This was the first year Tuomas competed for the Golden Grizzlies. One of Tuomas’s accomplishments includes collecting the Freshman of the Year Award in 2014 from the Horizon League. He also touched first in the 200-yard IM at the Horizon League Championships, with a time of 1:47.57. That time earned Tuomas the Horizon League, Championship, and School Record in the 200-yard IM. Tuomas was also a member of the winning 200 and 800-yard freestyle relays at the Horizon League Championships. The winning 800-yard freestyle relay was also a new Horizon League Record.
Tuomas is majoring in Management Information Systems and is coached by Andre Latour, as part of the sprint group.
