The Buhler High School boys swim team placed second at the Newton Invitational Thursday and qualified several swimmers for the Kansas Class 5-1A state meet Feb. 19-21 at the Shawnee Mission School District Aquatic Center.
Maize won the Newton Invitational swim meet with 243 points, followed by Buhler 197, Derby 161, Maize South 138, Goddard Eisenhower 135, Valley Center 130, Andover Central 111, Newton 104, McPherson 85 and Hesston 47.
“What a great meet,” said Buhler swim coach Shane DeWeese on the team’s Facebook page. “Buhler finished second of 10 teams at Newton last night. While we could have put our best foot forward to try and win the meet, we chose to prioritize a few races to secure state qualifications and that is exactly what we did. Overall, we scored 197 points with 29 personal-best times. Way to go Buhler.”
Buhler High School seniors Eli White, Hudson DeWeese, Ryler Hartnett and Gabe Auxier qualified for the state meet in the 200-yard medley relay.
Senior Zachariah Greenlee scored 204.75 points in diving and qualified for the state meet. Noah Fleishchman finished seventh overall and Sam Biggs finished ninth.
Hudson DeWeese, White, Auxier and Ethan Maxfield qualified for state in the 200 free relay.
“Thanks to last night’s efforts, all three relays have now secured their place for state,” said Shane DeWeese. “We will continue to work for a spot on the podium.”
Hudson DeWeese posted second-place finishes in the 200-yard freestyle and the 100-breaststroke. Hartnett finished fourth in the 200-yard individual medley. Auxier finished ninth in the 50-yard freestyle.
After the break, Hartnett placed fifth in the 100 butterfly.
In the 100 freestyle, White earned a state consideration time, finishing second overall. Ethan Maxfield placed fourth Wyatt Regehr fifth.
In the 100 backstroke, White finished third with a new personal best time.
In the 100 breaststroke, Hudson DeWeese finished secnd overall with a new personal best and state consideration time.
Buhler will compete in the Hutchinson Invitational at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Hutchinson YMCA.
