For the first time this year the Manhattan High swim and dive team competed in an all-varsity meet at the Olathe Invitational. The swim team finished 10th out of 16 teams.

The team was set back a bit as two of their three seniors were not able to compete. Senior Trey Hafen was sidelined because of a sickness and team captain Nate Clark missed the meet as well.

Senior Brent Telck was the only senior at the meet. This factor gave many of the younger swimmers an opportunity to prove themselves and show their coaches and teammates what they are capable of.

“Yeah I feel like I have taken a role as an older brother to all of the younger swimmers below me,” Telck said. “I definitely feel like the younger swimmers are exceeding the expectations of not only us senior leaders but also the coaches.”

Although the team did not finish as high as they would have wanted, there were many good things to take from the meet. Many of the swimmers got personal records (PRs). Junior Preston Harrison broke a school record in the 100-yard butterfly with a time of 53.33 seconds.

“I was super excited,” Harrison said. “But I did not find out until we got back to the school and by then there were so many other things going on I did not think on it much.”

Harrison breaking the school record overshadowed great performances from other Manhattan swimmers.

Sophomore Suman Wang got a personal record in the 50-yard freestyle with a time of 25.2 seconds.

“It is exciting because it is only the beginning of the season,” Wang said. “I think that means I can improve a lot personally and we can all improve as a team.”

Telck also believes the team has a lot of potential.

“I honestly expect to have some of our top guys make it to state this year for Individual swim events,” Telck said. “But other than that, everything else has met and exceeded my standards for the beginning of the season.”

The team is growing together as a group and becoming a family.

“It’s more like a family rather than a team of students achieving the same goal,” Telck said.

This family aspect drives athletes to be better competitors and teammates as they look to gain the respect of their peers and not let anyone down. Becoming like a family also makes the meets and practices more enjoyable and increases everyone’s will to compete.”

No divers were able to compete as coach Al Days was absent due to an illness.

The next meet for the Manhattan team is Wednesday at home where they will face off against Junction City, Hays, Salina South and Salina Central.