As the heat and humidity filled the LHS swimming pool Thursday, Jan. 17, swimmers, divers, coaches, family and friends packed in, ready to begin the competition. Swimmers stepped up to the starting blocks, splashing the crammed crowd with every dive. Divers began dives in complete silence and emerged to cheers and the announcing of their scores.

An hour into the meet, races paused for recognition of the seven LHS seniors: Adam Edmonds, Nathan Evers, Blake Fox, Tom Foster, Matthew Day, Tyler Bradfield and Patrick Bennett. Accomplishments and future plans for each senior were announced by coach Kent McDonald. Some swimmers acknowledged small accomplishments, like improving times in the first meet of the year, while others, like Evers and Edmonds (team co-captains), celebrated state participation and breaking school records. Both Evers and Edmonds have gone to state every season since freshman year. Along with Bradfield and Bennett, these swimmers earned a state consideration time of 1:40.23 in the 200 meter freestyle relay.

Evers finished second in the 100 meter butterfly, with junior Tim Schraad placing third. Junior Caleb Axlund swam to second place in the 100 meter backstroke. Edmonds received third in the 100 meter freestyle. Freshman Izaiah Bowie finished third in diving. These top scores landed the Lions in second place overall, behind Washburn Rural.

The team will compete in the Topeka Invitational Jan. 22.