Menu
Bison swimmers, divers make that big push for state
KEARNEY, Neb. — McCook High School swimmers and divers returned to competition over the weekend for the first time since the holidays at the Kearney Invite, facing some of the strongest competitors so far this season.
With increased competition, the McCook swimmers are making strides in qualifying for the Nebraska State swim meet in February in Lincoln.
Senior Leah Spencer continues to improve her times as the season progresses and now has an automatic or secondary qualifying time in every event she has entered.
On Saturday, she claimed first place in the 50 yard freestyle with a time of 25.15, shaving time off her personal record (PR) of 25.79 earlier this season, and has an automatic qualifying spot at the state meet.
Leah also claimed second in the girls 200 yard freestyle with a time of 2:01.81. This is a new McCook High School record, breaking Lexi Tucker’s record of 2:03.17, which was set last year.
McCook Coach Jon Graff noted that this is only the second time Leah has swam the 200 free this season but is close to an automatic time in the event.
“It is a different race than the 50 and 100 yard sprints, because you really have to pace yourself,” he said.
Freshman Abby Renner also continues to make great improvements, claiming fourth in the 100 yard butterfly. She dropped her PR from 1:08.76 to 1:05.47, posting a secondary qualifying time. Abby also earned 9th in the 50 free with a time of 26.65, another secondary time.
Junior Izzy Renner cut time in the longest race of the day, the 500 freestyle. She improved her time from 6 minutes flat to 5:57.52, earning sixth overall and earning that secondary time.
“It was a great field for Izzy to swim against, so that helped her lower her time,” Graff said. “She’ll need to lower her time to make it to the show but she’s taken time off at every race, so it’s doable.”
And sophomore Emma Graff is nearing a secondary time in the 100 yard breaststroke.
“She just needs to work on technique and stamina in the second 50 yards and she’ll be there,” Graff said.
Secondary qualifying times mean the swimmer or relay is on the fringe of qualifying for the state meet. An automatic time means they will be one of the 32 swimmers on the starting blocks at the Devaney Center in Lincoln in February.
The McCook girls relay opened the meet with a fourth place finish in the 200 yard medley relay with a time of 2:00.92, finishing just behind regular foe North Platte with a time of 2:00.37.
The girls placed third in the 200 yard freestyle with a time of 1:46.26. The relay consists of Leah Spencer, Izzy Renner, Emma Graff and Abby Renner.
The McCook boys medley relay also earned team points with a seventh place finish in the 200 yard medley relay in 1:57.98 and 6th in the 200 yard freestyle relay with a time of 1:42.50. The relay includes Caleb Wilkinson, Blazen Mooney, Blake Rodewald and Kevin Bantam.
Graff has high hopes for both the girls relay team, which has secondary times in the 200 medley and 200 free relay, and the boys relay teams, which are inching closer to necessary times at each meet.
“We were consistent on our medley relays, chipping away at times to post qualifying times for state,” Graff said. “With the tougher competition this weekend, we are excited for the boys to perhaps qualify this upcoming week in Lincoln.”
Also earning team points for McCook were:
Izzy Renner, 200 yard IM, 2:37.37, 10th
Kevin Bantam, 200 yard IM, 2:20.59, 9th; 100 yard free, 54.10, 8th
Caleb Wilkinson, 50 free, 25.25, 12th
David Hinson, 500 free, 6:15.25, 10th
Emma Graff, 100 breaststroke, 1:17.84, 8th
Joe Barenberg, 100 breaststroke, 1:12.61, 11th
The Kearney Invite began Friday with the first 11-dive meet of the 2022-23 season for the Bison divers, having only needed six dives in the first half of the season.
Junior diver Caleb Shaw earned 252.70 points for fourth place while sophomore Emma Graff finished in 11th place with 217 points. To qualify for the state meet, divers must hit at least 300 points at one meet during the season.
Coach Graff commented that there is room for improvement for his divers.
“Diving was hit and miss for us,” Graff said. “Emma got all 11 dives but has some work to do and Caleb Shaw needs to smooth out his dives if he wants to qualify for state.”
The McCook swimmers and divers will continue to practice at the YMCA this week before heading east Friday for the Cotter Invite at Lincoln High School. Diving will take place Friday afternoon with swimming scheduled for Saturday.
“It’s another big field of swimmers next week in Lincoln,” Graff said. “We’ll be facing teams we don’t normally see but that stiff competition will hopefully help qualify more Bison swimmers for state.”