Submitted
Swimmers from the Hays Hurricanes as part of the Western Kansas Swim Club returned home after a successful USA swimming, Missouri Valley District swim meet in Wichita.
The WKSC team took third place overall with only six swimmers. Up against much larger teams the WKSC swimmers racked up team points with several District Champion swims, many of which also qualified team members for the upcoming Missouri Valley Championship swim meet in Lenexa.
Participating members from the Hays Hurricanes included Braylee Carper, Wyatt Dixson, Lane Dixson, and Breckyn Martin. The head coach of the Hays Hurricanes — Kendra Clary, along with the WKSC head coach Aleisha Stepp — have been working hard to prepare these young athletes for these highly competitive swim meets.
Braylee Carper had several impressive PRs, making it to finals and placed in the top eight in the 100 breast and 200 free for girls 13/14. Wyatt Dixson also had PRs in the boys 13/14 placing second in the 200 back and will be swimming the 200 back and 100 fly at Champs. Lane Dixson was the boys 9/10 District champion in the 50 back, 100 back, and 200 free. He will be swimming several events at Champs including the 100 IM, 50 and 100 fly, 100 free, 50 and 100 back, and 200 free. Breckyn Martin was the girls 9/10 District champion in the 100 free and runner up in the 50 free. She will be swimming the 50 and 100 free and 50 fly at Champs.
The other two outstanding WKSC participants also included Thaxton Freeman of the Ulysses Sharks and Emma Kirchoff of Garden City. Thaxton set new PRs, made finals, and placed in the top 8 for the boys 13/14 200IM, 100 back and 100 free. Emma was the District champion for the 200IM, 100 breast, 50 free, and 50 breast. Emma will also be swimming at Champs in several events.
"Together these six swimmers along with their amazing coaches are proud of their 3rd place finish at the District Championship meet," the organization said in a news release. "WKSC swimmers and coaches are looking forward to Champs the first weekend in March. The Hays Hurricane swim team has a bright future ahead and can not wait to see more team members participate in meets and more future swimmers join the club."