
By: Grant Barrett, Ad Astra Radio
TOPEKA, Kan. – The McPherson Lady Swimmers concluded their season competing in the Class 5-1A State Meet on Friday and Saturday, setting two new school records on their way to finishing in a tie with Hillsboro for 11th place amongst over 40 teams.
Danica Brunk was named to the First Team All State after a third place finish in the 50 freestyle. She then broke the school record in the 100 backstroke, claiming third with a time of 56:03. Brunk was also a part of the 200 Medley Relay team of Claire Schmidt, Adyson Wiens, and Clarea Williams that broke the school record that had stood since 2007, setting a new time of 1:55.95.
Bree Pickerell qualified for the finals, where she finished 13th, she would rotate with Schmidt in the 400 Freestyle Relay where they claimed 10th. “These girls had some really fast splits that we had not seen before this meet.” said Head Coach Angela Brunk who mentioned how special it was to conclude the season setting two new school records.
McPherson will graduate three seniors; Emily Heskett, Zoe McHenry, and Jordan Vanderhoof. During the regular season, the co-op team included Adrien Lockard, Olivia Bengtson and Lena Rauchholz of Smoky Valley.
Below are the McPherson individual results. Complete results from the Class 5-1A State Meet can be found HERE.
200 Medley Relay-8th- Brunk, Schmidt, Wiens, Williams- (prelims-1:55.95) finals-1:56.96
200 IM-21st- Bree Pickerell-2:31.58
50 Freestyle-3rd- Danica Brunk-(prelims :24.07) finals-:24.31
100 Butterfly-20th- Adyson Wiens-1:07.28
500 Freestyle-13th- Bree Pickerell- (prelims-5:45.45) finals 5:47.08
200 Freestyle Relay-18th- Williams, Hubbard, Schmidt, Wiens-1:51.47
100 Backstroke-3rd- Danica Brunk-(:56.03 prelims) finals-:56.16
100 Breaststroke-23rd- Claire Schmidt- 1:20.43
400 Freestyle Relay-10th-Wiens, Williams, Pickerell, Brunk-(3:57.15 prelims) finals- 3:57.80
New School Records-
200 Medley Relay-Brunk, Schmidt, Wiens, Williams (prelims)-1:55.95
100 Backstroke-Danica Brunk-:56.03