Thursday afternoon, the Great Bend High School boys’ swimming team started the new year with a dual meet victory (90 – 80) against Campus High School at the BCC Natatorium.  
The Panther swimmers trailed for the entire meet but fought back to tie the score at 78 points going into the meet’s final event, the 400 freestyle relay. Both teams hit the water knowing hoping to secure the win, but it was the host Panthers who finished the meet in dominating fashion by claiming the top two spots and sealing the victory to start the 2015 portion of their schedule. The “A” 400 Relay team of Josh Schridde, Dawson Clark, Jordan Boone, and Phane Pedigo finished at 3:54.32 to claim first place in the meet’s final event, and the “B” relay team of Cole Pierce, Isaac Panzer, Corey Harbaugh, and Ryan Romine finished in second place (4.07.88).
Head Coach Steve Beaumont was pleased with the results. “That was some fun racing. What a great way to get back into racing after Christmas Break, and it doesn’t get any more exciting than to have a meet come down to the final race.  This was our only chance to compete at home this season, and I’m just glad our swimmers finally got that opportunity. It was definitely an exciting meet for parents and friends who came to support the team.
Coach Beaumont also commented that the team swam with a little extra purpose as they took to the water against the visiting Colts. “Campus defeated us at the Salina Invite the first meet of the season, so that provided a little extra incentive, I think, for our swimmers. We had something to prove.  
Campus swam to the lead early on in the meet by winning four of the first five events, but the Panther swimmers were able to stay close.  Josh Schridde won the 200 IM (2.23.62), Isaac Panzer won the 100 free (1.00.48), and Connor Furrey won the 100 Backstroke to keep the score close and set the stage for the final event.  “I am thrilled with the way our guys swam”, said Beaumont.  “The first meet back from break isn’t always kind to us in terms of times, but today we had some really good swims today.”
Other top finishes for the team included:
200 Medley Relay “A” team of Furrey, Sean Williams, Clark, and Romine finished 2nd Place;
200 Free Relay “A” team of Pedigo, Williams, Raymer, Schridde – 2nd Place
Sean Williams – 2nd Place (200 Free), 2nd Place (100 Breaststroke)
Phane Pedigo – 3rd Place (200 IM), 2nd Place 100 Backstroke
Josh Schridde – 2nd Place (100 Fly)
Corey Harbaugh – 3rd Place (100 Free)
Cole Pierce – 2nd Place (500 Free)
Michael Raymer – 3rd Place (100 Breaststroke)
Next meet for the Panther swimmers is Jan. 14 in Manhattan.