Great Bend registered six first place performances and five state-qualifying times out of 12 events to take the gold at Thursday’s quadrangular at the BCCC natatorium.

The Panthers finished in the top spot with 375 team points outpacing Campus Colts-Black by nearly 100 points (283). Hays notched a third place finish at 160 while Campus Colts-White recorded 69 team points for fourth place.

“It was a good meet for us in that we were able to get some swimmers into some different events than they competed in last week,” said coach Steve Beaumont. “It’s early in the season so we’re just finding out what some can do.”

The Panthers took top honors in the first three races.

In the first event of the afternoon, Great Bend grabbed a first place slot in the 200 yard medley relay as Michaela Cape, Kalyn Blessing, Madeline Vesta and Camryn Dunekack finished with a state-qualifying time of 2:09.66. Emma Williams, Taylor Huslig, Calista Long and Katy Jerke placed third timing in at 2:20.87.

Kira Cook placed first in the 200 yard freestyle with a time of 2:19.89 while Hadley Murphy and Williams polled third and fourth place finishes with times of 2:27.86 and 2:33.71 respectively.  

Dunekack was a first place finisher with a time of 2:34.95 (SQT) in the individual medley. Vesta and Long finished second and third in the IM with times of 2:47.81 and 2:49.19.

The foursome of Dunekack, Cape, Long and Cook posted a state-qualifying time of 1:52.49 in the 200 yard freestyle relay. Dunekack took gold in the 100 yard backstroke timing in at 1:09.56 also good for a state-qualifying finish.

Great Bend finished in the top spot in the final event of the meet. Jerke, Vesta, Williams and Cook placed first in the 400 freestyle relay with a state-qualifying time of 4:21.19.

“It’s always fun when we get to compete at home in front of our families and friends and even better when we get a win,” Beaumont said. “Conditioning wise, we have a lot of work to do. Our relays were strong today. Both the A and B relays improved upon the times we posted in Salina last week.”

Beaumont also noted key contributions from his freshmen and senior swimmers.

“Camryn had two state-qualifying finishes today. She has been a great addition to our program this year and has the potential to be an excellent swimmer. Calista is also swimming well and making big contributions so we look forward to big things for her as the season progresses.”

“Rachel is having a great senior season so far,” he said. “She had personal bests in each of her relay events and in the 50 freestyle.  She just looks much stronger in the water than she did last year.”

Other performances:

50 yard freestyle

Second place- Michaela Cape (28.27)

Third place- Katy Jerke (29.08)

100 yard butterfly

Second place- Kira Cook (1:14.61)

100 yard free style

Second place- Madeline Vesta (1:04.70)

Third place- Michaela Cape (1:05.58)

500 yard freestyle

Third place- Katy Jerke (6:38.45)

200 yard free style relay

Third place- Kalyn Blessing, Carly Boyd, Rachel Bussen, Sheridan Beaumont (2:03.10)

100 yard backstroke

Second place- Emma Williams (1:16.47)

100 yard breast stroke

Second place- Kalyn Blessing (1:24.53)

Third place- Taylor Huslig (1:28.48)

400 yard freestyle relay

Second place- Hadley Murphy, Carly Boyd, Rachel Bussen, Sarah Mauler (4:41.27)

The Panthers will host their second meet of the season on April 6 at 3:30 pm at the BCCC natatorium.