McPherson, East usher in new era of City League boys swimming
Graduation to many of the top swimmers in the City League last season have created an opportunity around the league.
East coach Joe Hutchinson thinks there a handful of up-and-coming swimmers on his team ready to make the leap with junior Hugh McPherson, the City League champion in the 200-meter individual medley and 100-meter freestyle, the one that has him most excited.
East opens its season with a City League meet on Dec. 8 at home against Kapaun Mount Carmel and Northwest.
“I really think that Hugh is ready to take off,” Hutchinson said. “He’s worked really hard from the end of last year to now and he’s a lot faster than he was last season. I’m looking forward to seeing what he can do.”
McPherson knew that after last season there would be a chance for himself and his teammates to move up in the City League. He worked hard in the offseason to improve his speed underwater off turns, which has been helped by a three-inch growth spurt from last year.
“The thing with sprints is that if you screw one thing up, then your whole race could go kaput right there,” McPherson said. “That’s why underwaters are becoming so important. It’s kind of becoming the fifth stroke of swimming.”
But McPherson is not alone.
Seniors Colin Hutton and Matthew Randle return after state-qualifying seasons, while junior Jack Quah (100 breaststroke) and sophomore Sam Hutchinson (100 backstroke) are among the best in the state returning in their respective events.
“There’s definitely a few doors that have opened now with all of the guys who graduated,” McPherson said. “We’ve got a lot amazing swimmers coming up and I think a lot of these guys are ready to show the City League what they and East can do.”
East has expectations of making a push for a top-five finish at the Class 6A meet.
“It makes my job so much easier when the kids come to me already in shape and are mentally ready to go,” Hutchinson said. “I really like this team’s potential. We’ve got a lot of kids who are dedicated and put in a lot of time and now it’s just a matter of me making sure they’re ready to go at the right time.”
Taylor Eldridge: 316-268-6270, @vkeldridge
OTHER CITY LEAGUE BOYS SWIMMERS TO WATCH
Carroll: Brock Lubbers, sr.; Rory Smith, jr.; Alec Clark, sr.; Alex Richmeier, sr.; Wyatt Iseman, sr.; Matthew Harding, so.
Heights: Ethan Conrady, sr.; Dylan Jensen, sr.; Carson Hager, so.; Kameron Hall, so.; Noah Thompson, so.; Conner Buller, jr.
Kapaun: Sean Barleen, sr.; John Klimiuk, sr.; Elliot Merck, sr.; Joey Higgins, jr.
North: Drew Whepley, jr.; Audric Bolden, jr.; Alec Hughes, sr.; Will Setser, sr.
Northwest: Chris Brown, sr.; Owen Barker, sr.; Noah Thompson, so.; Duncan Haase, sr.
South: Ryan Loesing, sr.; Franklin Campos, sr.
Southeast: Alec Lebeda, so.; Jack Thornberry, sr.; Michael Ross, jr.; Austin Allen, sr.; Joey Vineyard, jr.
West: David Garcia, jr.
CITY LEAGUE BOYS SWIMMING SCHEDULE
December — 3, Maize Invitational (at Northwest YMCA). 6, Topeka Hayden Invitational. 8, Kapaun, Northwest at East; Carroll, North at Heights; South, Southeast at West. 10, Southeast Invitational. 12, Campus Invitational (at West). 17, Blue Valley North Invitational.
January — 5, Salina South Invitational. 7, El Dorado Invitational; North Invitational. 12, Kapaun, West at Carroll; Heights, South at East; North, Northwest at Southeast. 19, Carroll, Southeast at East; Heights, West at Northwest; Kapaun, North at South. 21, Heights Invitational; Blue Valley Southwest Invitational. 26, Kapaun, Southeast at Heights; East, West at North; Carroll, Northwest at South. 28, Northwest Invitational.
February — 9, City League (at Heights). 16-18, state meets (at Topeka).
This story was originally published November 27, 2016 at 5:26 PM with the headline "McPherson, East usher in new era of City League boys swimming."