HUTCHINSON, Kan. – McPherson High School’s Boys Swimming team began the 2026 postseason with the AVCTL Div. 3-4 meet, finishing in third place in Hutchinson on Saturday, Feb. 14.
According to head coach Matt Cotton, the third-place finish is one of the best finishes in recent history. Reigning league champion Winfield finished in 2nd, behind Buhler. The Bullpups were able to find themselves on the podium, beating out Wichita Collegiate by 55 points.
The meet was highlighted by Cooper Bohme winning the league title in the 500 Freestyle, touching the wall first with a time of 5:22.20, becoming the first Bullpup to win an individual league event since 2021. Bohme, along with Manny Morales, Ben Bocox, and Beckett Schuckman, also secured their ticket to State for the 200 Medley Relay, placing third with a state-qualifying time of 1:54.08.
The team also shone in two more relays, earning a state qualifying time of 3:48.51 in the 400 Freestyle Relay and 6th in the 200 Freestyle Relay. Schuckman also earned his first-ever state consideration in the 100 Butterfly, and Bocox had his first state consideration time of the season in the 100 Backstroke.
The Bullpups will now prepare for the 5-1A State Championships, held at the Shawnee Mission District Aquatic Center in Lenexa. The preliminary events will begin at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 20, and the finals will begin at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 21. As of Monday, Feb. 16, McPherson will certainly be in four events, with three more events in consideration.
The 200 Medley Relay team of Ben Bocox, Manny Morales, Beckett Shuckman, and Cooper Bohme will swim in State, as well as the 400 Freestyle Relay team of Bohme, Bocox, Schuckman, and Kurt Mendez. Bohne will also swim in two individual events: The 200 Freestyle and the 500 Freestyle. The events in consideration include the 200 Freestyle Relay, Schuckman in the 100 Butterfly, and Bocox in the 100 Backstroke.
