Setting off for Topeka on Wednesday, the Boys Swimming and Diving team participated in their first meet of the season. The team was ready for the challenges that they face during competition.

“We’re bloodthirsty this year,” senior swim captain Matthew Bandy said. “I see my teammates trying to beat as many people as possible instead of worrying about the time so much. It’s a style of swimming I like to see.”

Overall, the team competed as expected for their first meet and received fourth place.

“It was a typical first meet and we have many new members,” coach Jerry Carpenter said.

The team is depending on their new members to step up and fill in spots where no experienced people are available.

“We really need our new guys to step up and do events they might not feel super comfortable with yet,” junior Trey Hafen said. “We don’t have enough experienced people to cover all of the events sufficiently.”

The boys will have two meets this week, a home dual meet against Lawrence Free State and an away meet at Olathe.