TOPEKA — The Great Bend Panthers turned in a strong showing at the Topeka swimming Invite Tuesday, led by an outstanding performance from Eli Somers, who punched his ticket to the state meet in the 100-yard freestyle.

"Somers delivered a standout swim in the 100 freestyle, clocking a state-qualifying mark of 52.48," said Great Bend coach Kari Carper. "His performance placed him among the top finishers in a competitive field and marked a major milestone for the Panther senior."

Somers also competed in the 200-yard freestyle, finishing at 1:59.64, continuing to show consistency across sprint and middle-distance events.

"Other Panthers athletes posted solid individual performances throughout the meet, gaining valuable experience and contributing to the team’s overall progress," Carper said. 

Carper said Kale Mermis, Mark Sperlein, Cade Urban, Dylon Kalivoda, Leo Bashor, Tyler Scheuerman, Eli Leech, Rocky Montanez, and Cooper Burroughs represented the Panthers across multiple events.

With momentum building and a state qualifier already secured, the Panthers carried the energy into Thursday's home meet. 

TOPEKA INVITE

TEAM SCORES—9—Great Bend, 90

GREAT BEND RESULTS *season best

50 freestyle—21—Urban, 28.38; 26—Kalivoda, *31.41; Burroughs, 43.07

100 freestyle—2—Somers, *52.48; 16—Mermis, 1:01.24; 26—Urban, *1:08.87; Montanez, 1:23.76; Burroughs, 1:43.14

200 freestyle—3—Somers, *1:59.64; 6—Mermis, *2:16.11; 9—Kracman, *2:45.66

500 freestyle—11—Scheuerman, *7:41.49

100 breaststroke—23—Leech, *1:35.77; 24—Kalivoda, 1:35.96; 27—Bashor, *1:53.48 

200 IM—9—Mermis, 2:48.75; 10—Sperlein, 2:48.76

200 medley relay—16—Great Bend, 2:29.86 (Scheuerman, Kalivoda, Sperlein, Bashor)

200 freestyle relay—12—Great Bend A, 1:54.54 (Somers, Kalivoda, Urban, Mermis); 18—Great Bend B, 2:32.74 (Burroughs, Leech, Montanez, Scheuerman)

400 freestyle relay—8—Great Bend A, *4:10.47 (Somers, Sperlein, Urban, Mermis); 17—Great Bend B, 5:29.68 (Scheuerman, Bashor, Montanez, Leech)