“Just Keep Swimming” and Diving

Just+Keep+Swimming+and+Diving

Mark Holland, News Editor

The boys swimming and diving team have had a busy season this year. With practices, meets and lots of other competitions, they’ve had many opportunities to support their school.

Recently, they got a chance to compete in the Sunflower League Championship.

“I’m really excited for [the results of] the Sunflower League because it was  just a good experience,” junior Spencer Held said. “It’s good to compete against guys. There were a lot of competitors there.”

Their team made several accomplishments in the league.

The boys swimming and diving team placed fourth in the Sunflower League Championships.  The finalists were senior Noah Birkel in the 200 free with a state qualifying time in the 200 free and consideration time in the 100 free; junior Jeff Nasse in the 100 fly with a state consideration time and senior Josh Buss with a state qualifying time in the 100 backstroke.  Sophomore Payton Janner and freshman Sam Aldeguer were the finalists in diving.  The medalists  were senior  Spencer Brown in the 50 & 100 free; junior Joe McAtee in the 50 free;  senior Josh Buss in the 100 fly and junior Spencer Held in diving.  McAtee also qualified for the state meet leading off the 400 free relay.

Not only did the team have success in the Sunflower League, but they also recently qualified for state. Nine students are going to state including three divers. The swimmers qualified for three relays: medley, 200 free relay and 400 free relay.  Brown qualified  in 50 free and 100 free, Buss in 100 fly and 100 back, Birkel in 200 free, McAtee in 50 free and 100 free. State competitions started on Thursday. 

According to Held, there is a lot of practice that goes into these kinds of competitions.

“For diving we usually just pick out like eleven dives for the meet and we just keep on practicing them and drilling them until they’re perfect,” Held said.