Boys Swim & Dive Team Dominates Conference Meet

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.