Last week, the state boys swim and dive team journeyed across I-70 to St. Louis, competing in their State Championship Meet and turning in a performance that will be remembered for years to come. The boys were unstoppable from the first event to the last, rewriting school history, shattering state records, and capturing two more state championship titles. Their efforts culminated in an eighth-place finish out of 60 teams—marking the program’s highest placement in five years.

***Back Row:*** *Bennett Freeman, Isaac Jensen, Braeden Mallonee, Whitaker Steward, & Patrick McNellis.* ***Front Row:*** *Isaac Clayton, Milo Sumpter, & Landon Morrill.*

Individual Standouts Steal the Spotlight

Whitaker Steward: A Legendary High School Career

Senior swimmer Whitaker Steward capped his high school career by tying the all-time record for the most individual state championship titles in Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSHSAA) history, boasting seven titles over four years. Known for dominating races with performances reminiscent of Olympic legend Katie Ledecky, Steward continually distanced himself from the competition. This year, he added to his legacy with exceptional swims in both the 200 and 500 Freestyle events.

In the 200 Freestyle, Steward entered finals as the top seed after swimming a 1:40.03 in preliminaries. On championship day, he broke his own Class 1 State Record, lowering his time to a blazing 1:38.36—winning by a margin of at least three body lengths. With this victory, he claimed his third consecutive state title in the event and received All-American honors for the fifth time.

Steward’s dominance continued in the 500 Freestyle, where he not only secured the top seed with a 4:23.98 during prelims but nearly lapped his competitors in finals, finishing in 4:24.39—over 20 seconds ahead of second place. He became only the second male swimmer in MSHSAA history to win a state championship all four years of high school and earned his sixth All-American distinction.

Isaac Clayton: Diving to New Heights

Senior diver Isaac Clayton competed in his final high school meet, saving his best for last. Throughout much of the 11-dive competition, Clayton hovered between sixth and ninth place, but he nailed his final three dives and surged to a fifth-place finish. Clayton became the first male diver in program history to earn First Team All-State honors and stand on the podium at the state level—a remarkable achievement for someone who only began diving as a sophomore.

Braeden Mallonee: Making Waves Early

In just his second year swimming, sophomore Braeden Mallonee earned spots in two events—a feat few achieve. His rapid progression speaks volumes about his work ethic and determination. In the 100 Butterfly, he dropped his seed from 18th to 11th in preliminaries with a personal best of 54.94, ultimately finishing 14th in finals and earning All-State Honorable Mention honors. In the 100 Backstroke, Mallonee dropped a full second for a new PR in prelims, entered finals as the 12th seed, and finished 12th overall, once again receiving Honorable Mention recognition.

Relay Teams Showcase Depth and Determination

200 Medley Relay

The medley relay team faced disappointment after missing the top eight by just 0.05 seconds in preliminaries, finishing ninth. Refusing to settle, they returned in finals to shave off 1.5 seconds, with all four swimmers posting personal bests—demonstrating their grit even though the final result kept them in ninth place.

200 Freestyle Relay

The freestyle relay team delivered a remarkable four-second drop during preliminaries, finishing 25th. Every swimmer contributed a personal best split, reflecting the squad’s commitment to improvement and teamwork.

400 Freestyle Relay

In the 400 Freestyle Relay, the boys excelled, dropping two seconds for a new PR and securing the eighth seed for finals. They held strong and finished eighth, earning First Team All-State honors for the second consecutive year—a testament to the program’s consistency and growth.

A Season to Remember

From record-breaking individual performances to hard-fought relay races, the boys capped their season on a historic high. Their dedication, perseverance, and passion have set a new standard for the program.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.

The Kearney Boys Swim & Dive team ended their regular season in spectacular fashion, transforming the conference meet held from October 30 to November 1 into a demonstration of dominance and depth. The Bulldogs captured 11 out of 12 event titles, set personal records across the roster, and secured the team championship by a remarkable 140-point margin, marking their 11th consecutive conference victory.

The tone was set early, as the 200 Medley Relay squad—Braeden Mallonee, Bennett Freeman, Whitaker Steward, and Milo Sumpter—dropped two seconds off their previous best to claim first place, highlighted by a personal-best split from Bennett. The momentum continued in the 200 Free, where Brayden Peck surged to victory with a 6.5-second personal improvement, followed by Landon Morrill in second and significant time drops from Patrick McNellis and Konnor Spring, who placed sixth and seventh.

Whitaker Steward led the charge in the 200 IM, breaking the Gladstone pool record, and later won the 500 Free with a season-best time, setting another pool record. The Bulldogs’ sprints were just as dynamic, with Milo Sumpter taking second in the 50 Free, Isaac Jensen third, and Isaac Clayton fourth—all posting personal records. Bennett Freeman added a season best for seventh. Isaac Jensen then won the 100 Free, earning a state consideration cut, while Milo and Brayden placed second and fifth.

Kearney’s relay teams were unstoppable. The 200 Free Relay—Clayton, Bennett, Landon, and Jensen—cut four seconds to win, and the 400 Free Relay featuring Steward, Jensen, Sumpter, and Mallonee closed the meet as champions, with Whitaker contributing a personal-best split. In the stroke events, Mallonee won the 100 Back, joined by McNellis and Spring with strong finishes and personal records. Bennett Freeman took the 100 Breast title, with Peter Jensen and Eli both setting six-second personal bests for third and fourth.

On the diving board, Isaac Clayton earned the crown, with Nathan Watson and Eli Clayton rounding out the top five. Mallonee also claimed the 100 Fly, and Landon Morrill placed third with another time drop.

Coaches Trevor Woehrman, Ariel Jones, Ryan Sprugel, and David Robinson praised the team for their preparation and relentless attitude, calling the weekend a showcase of hard-earned breakthroughs. Next, Isaac Clayton will compete at the District Diving meet on November 6, followed by the Class 1 State Championships in St. Louis on November 13–14. This year’s state qualifiers include Whitaker Steward, Isaac Clayton, Braeden Mallonee, Bennett Freeman, Milo Sumpter, Isaac Jensen, with Patrick McNellis and Landon Morrill as alternates. Eleven straight conference championships and the Bulldogs continue their climb.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.