Bullpups Shine at Salina Make-Up Meet
Squad of Seven Delivers Strong Performances in Mid-Season Tune-Up
The McPherson High School boys swim team made the most of a shortened roster at Thursday's meet in Salina, finishing sixth out of 11 teams with just seven swimmers competing. The meet served as a make-up opportunity for athletes who had missed previous competitions due to ACT testing, KMEA band commitments, and illness, giving the Bullpups a chance to fine-tune their skills in a lower-pressure environment before the final push toward league and state competition.
Cooper Bohme led the way for McPherson, capturing first place in the 100-yard freestyle (53.16) and fourth in the 50 freestyle (24.35) as he tested his sprinting abilities before returning to distance events. Manny Morales posted a fourth-place finish in the 100 breaststroke (1:17.46) and ninth in the 100 butterfly, while Thatcher Schuckman battled through lingering illness to earn fifth in the 500 freestyle (6:55.13) and seventh in the 200 freestyle (2:27.22).
Daniel Bowen placed eighth in the 500 freestyle, Baltazar Alonzo-Gaspar finished 11th in the 100 backstroke, Jorge Redondo took 10th in the 100 breaststroke and 11th in the 200 freestyle, and Bennett Rank secured 11th in the 200 IM and 13th in the 100 backstroke.
The Bullpups' relay teams showed depth despite their limited numbers, with the 200 medley relay of Rank, Redondo, Alonzo-Gaspar, and Bowen taking eighth (2:15.06), while Bohme anchored both the 200 freestyle relay to sixth place (1:54.10) and the 400 freestyle relay to fourth (4:14.38). The full squad will reunite Saturday for the Maize South Invite, their final tune-up before the league championships.
Greg Loving
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