The Great Bend High School boys’ swimming team swam to a first place finish in Hutchinson on Tuesday, Dec. 9, at the Conklin Aquatic Center in Hutchinson. Lead by first place finishes by junior Josh Schridde in the 200 IM (2.25.32) and the 100 Free (55.65), as well as a first place finish by the 400 Free Relay, the team rolled to a 98 point victory over second place Hutchinson. The ‘A’ 400 free relay team of Connor FUrrey, Phane Pedigo, Jordan Boone, and Schridde came from behind to win the last event with a time of 3.57.26, touching out the second place team from Hutchinson (3.57.67). Phane Pedigo contributed a second place finish in the 500 Free (6.26.86) and Dawson Clark added a second place finish in the 100 Fly (1.07.04).
The ‘A’ 200 Freestyle Relay of Sean Williams, Clark, Boone, and Schridde finished in third place (1.45.50) as did the 400 Free Relay ‘B’ team (Ryan Romine, Cole Pierce, Isaac Panzer, Michael Raymer) (4.30.31). Freshman Cole Pierce also added a third place finish in the 100 backstroke with a time of 1.08.38, and sophomore Sean Williams finished in third place in the 100 Breastsroke (1.15.44).
“I was sure proud of the way the guys competed today. Coming from behind on the last event to win the race was a great way to end the meet for our team. Our times have been really good for this early in the season. Conditioning is still our main focus. We just need to keep working hard and hopefully we will continue to see our times drop.
Team Scores: Great Bend 325; Hutchinson 228; Hays – 188; McPherson – 180; Junction City – 149; Wichita Collegiate – 125; Wichita Independent – 14
The team also competed Dec. 4, at Salina for its first meet of the year.
“It was a great start to the season despite having several swimmers not competing,” Beaumont said. “We outswam everyone but Salina South and we really competed well despite giving up a lot of diving points to Campus and both Salina Schools to start the meet.” He said his squad had 37 time improvements.
There were five teams competing, but team results were divided into two sets of scores - versus Salina South and versus Salina Central. The placings were:
Number 1: Salina South – 383 points; Campus – 346; Great Bend – 326; Hays – 193
Number 2: Campus – 377; Great Bend – 356; Salina Central – 282; Hays – 207
The boy’s swimming team will return to action next week in Hutchinson for a quadrangular versus El Dorado, Hutchinson,  and Rose Hill.