Submitted
SALINA – While missing one of its top scorers, the Hays High boys’ swim team relied on some depth to dominate the Salina South meet Thursday.
With classmate Chase Zadina out of action because of illness, numerous swimmers scored for Hays High in its first action of 2026 as the Indians amassed 524 points – 133 more than runner-up Junction City in the eight-team event.
Senior Karsen Flaska claimed three first-place finishes to help Hays High claim its second team title of the season. It marks the third top-two team finish in four outings this season for the Indians.
Flaska won the 100-yard backstroke in a state-qualifying time of 1 minute, 1.15 seconds, was part of two first-place relay teams and also finished fourth in the 100y butterfly.
Junior Cedric Durr, also a member of those two championship relay teams, also placed high in two individual events.
In addition to Flaska, the senior class was also led by Jude Hileman, who placed in the top four of four events, as well as classmates Noah Shaeffer, Seth Burkholder, Maison Desaire and Levi Crisenberry, who all helped rack up points for the Indians.
Hays High has also been enjoying the addition of several talented underclassmen this season.
Thursday, freshman Jace Herbers filled in for Zadina in the freestyle leg of the team’s 200y medley relay to help the Indians finish first, then placed third individually in the 100y backstroke and swam a leg on the 200y freestyle relay that placed second.
In addition, three ninth-graders (Judah Rigler, Emmitt Dreiling and Brooks Dixon) joined sophomore Jackson Huwa for a fourth-place finish in the 200y freestyle relay. And two other frosh, Bentley Demel and Col Lonsdale, helped another relay team finish fifth.
Next action for the Indians will be Tuesday at Topeka West.
Team scores
Hays High 524, Junction City 391, Dodge City 374, Salina South 329, Salina Central 214, El Dorado 94, Bennington 40, Gypsum-Southeast of Saline 37.
Hays High results
200y medley relay – 1. (Karsen Flaska, Noah Shaeffer, Cedric Durr, Jace Herbers).
200y individual medley – 3. Cedric Durr; 5. Jude Hileman.
50y freestyle – 4. Maison Désaire; 5. Seth Burkholder.
100y butterfly – 3. Jude Hileman; 4. Karsen Flaska.
100y freestyle – 2. Cedric Durr.
200y freestyle relay – 2. (Maison Désaire, Seth Burkholder, Jace Herbers, Jude Hileman); 4. (Judah Rigler, Emmitt Dreiling, Brooks Dixon, Jackson Huwa).
100y backstroke – 1. Karsen Flaska, 1:01.15 (state qualifying)
100y breaststroke – 2. Noah Shaeffer; 3. Jace Herbers.
400y freestyle relay – 1. (Cedric Durr, Jude Hileman, Seth Burkholder, Karsen Flaska); 5. (Noah Shaeffer, Levi Crisenbery, Bentley Demel, Col Lonsdale)