There will be eight swimmers representing Great Bend High School today and Saturday at the Class 5-1A state swim meet at the Hummer Sports Complex in Topeka.
Ky Heeke, Justin Kuhlman and Nick Moyers qualified for individual events and they join Tristan Yount, Cory Merten, Josh Schridde and Keaton Elliott to make up three relay teams. Austin Levingston is attending as an alternate.
“A lot of these kids have been to a state meet before either as a swimmer or as an alternate,” GBHS head coach Steve Beaumont said. “I think this is a good group for us. They know what to expect.
“It’s different than a lot of the other meets we go to in how they group swimmers and how they separate heats.”
Heeke will compete in the 200-meter freestyle and the 100 butterfly.
“He swam there his sophomore and junior years on individual events and relays,” Beaumont said of Heeke. “On the butterfly, he’s right there on the bubble for making it to (Saturday’s final heat). If he turns in a good time, he’ll be able to get in.”
Kuhlman qualified for the 200 individual medley and the 100 backstroke.
“Justin’s the fifth seed in the backstroke,” Beaumont said. “If he looks at it, he has swam faster than his admission times, so with a couple good swims, he should be able to advance in both events.”
Moyers will also compete in the 100 backstroke.
“He swam the backstroke last year,” Beaumont said. “It’s a good event for him. He’s usually swimming in three or four events, so hopefully he’ll go into this one a little more rested.”
The preliminary heats will be held today with the final heats competing on Saturday.

GREAT BEND HIGH SCHOOL

Class 5-1A state
swim meet qualifiers

Relays
200-meter medley — Tristian Yount, Cory Merten, Josh Schridde, Keaton Elliott
200 free — Justin Kuhlman, Ky Heeke, Merten, Nick Moyers
400 free — Kuhlman, Heeke, Merten Moyers

Individuals
Heeke — 200 free, 100 butterfly
Kuhlman — 200 individual medley, 100 backstroke
Moyers — 100 backstroke

Alternate — Austin Levingston