SEAN BOSTON
Hutch Post
TOPEKA, Kan. — Hutchinson High School led the way for area programs at the 2025 KSHSAA Girls 5-1A State Swimming and Diving Championships, held May 22–24 at Hummer Sports Park.
The Salthawks tallied 41 points to place 16th overall, with standout performances across relays and individual events. Hutchinson’s 400-yard freestyle relay team of Alayna Wiggins, Emma Buller, Morgan Most and AJ Gooch placed 11th in the finals (4:04.35). In the 200 medley relay, the team of Julianna Stivers, Gooch, Wiggins and Most took 11th (2:00.89).
Individually, Gooch earned 7th in the 100-yard breaststroke with a time of 1:12.27 and added a point with a 16th-place finish in the 200 IM. Wiggins also qualified for finals in the 100 backstroke, finishing 13th.
McPherson and Hesston each earned top-30 team finishes, scoring 26 and 24 points, respectively.
McPherson was paced by senior Bree Pickerell, who scored in two events. She placed eighth in the 500 freestyle (5:37.52) and 13th in the 200 IM (2:25.72). Teammate Adyson Wiens added a 14th-place finish in the IM. The Bullpups’ 200 freestyle relay team finished 14th in 1:51.13.
Hesston junior Angela Ewert earned the Swathers’ top individual finish, placing eighth in the 200 freestyle (2:00.48) and ninth in the 500 freestyle (5:35.69). Hesston added points in the 200 medley relay with a 15th-place finish.
Buhler’s top showing came from freshman Hannah Swain, who placed 13th in the 500 freestyle (5:46.58). The Crusaders also competed in the 200 medley and 400 freestyle relays.
Andover won the team title with 304 points, followed by Blue Valley Southwest (276.5) and Lansing (215). Hillsboro’s Lauryn Vogt highlighted the meet by winning state titles in the 50 and 100 freestyle events, including a state-record time of 23.39 seconds in the 50.