The boys swim team was able to qualify multiple events and send seven swimmers to the 6A state championship this year. As the swimmers competed they looked to make finals in their events.

“I would like our relays are both seeded 17th, I would like to have our team beat at least one other team so we make finals,” Jack Palmer, junior, said.

The team has done well at state in the best, but are looking to improve on their performance for last year.

“In the past we have usually done pretty good. Last year was my first year doing individual events at state, and I dropped two seconds in my 100 fly and one second in my 100 backstroke,” Walker Ricks, senior, said.

In preparation for state, swimmers have to change their normal schedule. This includes cutting down on their amount of swimming during practices in order to remain fresh for the meet.  

“About two weeks out, Bennett worked with my club coach and started giving me less yardage in order for me to taper for the meet,” Palmer said.

State is different from the usually meets the team swims in because it is the best competition in Kansas.

I look at this meet a little different because it is  the best in the state, and while at other meets there are good people but it is a lot better competition,” Ricks said.

The team ended up having two swimmers,Walker Ricks and Jack Palmer, qualify for finals in both of their individual events and their 200 free relay qualify. They will swim in finals February 20 at 3pm.

“I am feeling a little better for tomorrow because I do not have to swim the 400 free relay again, but I think our 200 free relay is pretty solid so I think we will do okay,” Dylan Hall, senior, said.