In the end, SM East boys swimmers' internal motivation proved plenty, thank you

TMZ really would have dug that story, how after winning four consecutive state championships the Shawnee Mission East High School boys swim team last season had to stand and watch the celebration in Topeka as Olathe East’s swimmers went collectively bonzo after ripping the title away from the stranglehold of the Lancers.

And then, right there in that most painful moment, a group of seething and determined Lancers vowed on the spot to return glory in 2010 to their SM East camp.

Great storyline, except those in the Lancers camp are quick to dispel that myth. They will tell you this year’s return trip to the state summit for SM East on Saturday, in the first-ever Class 6A-only boys state swim meet inside the Capitol Federal Natatorium, did not really come down that way.

Coach Wiley Wright was quick to clarify.

In the end, that positive approach proved ample motivation. Mission accomplished, and for Wright’s Lancers, another batch of state glory accomplished.

SM East pulled out the program’s fifth state title in a span of six seasons with its 292-283.5 win over runner-up Blue Valley North. Blue Valley West gleaned third with 252 team points. (For complete results of the 6A and 5-1A state meets, visit www.sunpublications.com).

Two weeks earlier, the Lancers garnered their seventh consecutive Sunflower League title, and then – pun intended – rode that heat wave into state.

“We were motivated to win,” Lancers senior Clay Finley said. “Last year, they (Olathe East) really did deserve it, and we knew that. This year we just wanted to go out on top as seniors, so we worked hard all year, and luckily it worked out in the end.”

Finley did plenty to aid in the Lancers’ final good fortune by virtue of his second-place finish in the 50-yard freestyle (21.78) and third-place result in the 100 freestyle (47.78).

The senior, who will attend the University of Missouri but does not plan to swim in college, also concluded his high school career as part of SM East’s winning 200 freestyle relay (Finley, Jack Walker, Branden Schoofs, Hunter Stevenson, in 1:26.91) and runner-up 400 freestyle relay (Finley, Walker, Troy DeMoss, Stevenson, in 3:13.65).

Seven Lancers medaled individually in a big final day at state, but none proved individual event champions.

The Lancers’ Andrew Watkins notched second in the 100 breaststroke in 59.97; Peter Frazell landed fourth in diving; Stevenson tied for fifth in the 50 freestyle; DeMoss took sixth in the 200 individual medley as well as 100 backstroke; Walker earned seventh in the 200 and 100 freestyle; and Nathan Simpson got eighth in the 100 breaststroke.

“I think the performance of everyone from our freshmen to seniors spoke volumes of our depth and overall team performance,” Wright said. “Everyone performed beyond my expectations, and I believe everyone on the team would agree.”

Wright did note, however, the critical nature of the performance of his winning 200 freestyle relay in terms of the Lancers’ ultimate ascent.

“If they lose that event, we get second place,” he said. “That relay dropped two seconds from their best time and made All-American time. After that event, I knew we sat pretty good to win. With the last two individual events, we outscored Blue Valley North 35 to 20, a huge lead.”

“I think the most telling thing is that we didn’t win one individual event, yet we were still able to win the meet,” Finley said. “We did well on relays, and everyone stepped up who needed to, so it worked out well.”

Indeed, it was a year to remember in numerous ways for the SM East program, from what proved an undefeated campaign to the continuation of the long string of Sunflower League glory to the return trip to the No. 1 perch at state.

Along the way, on Senior Day the Lancers named the pool at SM East in longtime coach Wright’s honor.

Saturday’s victory celebration, Finley noted, was heartfelt if not long in duration.

“We had our Sweetheart Dance that night,” Finley explained, “so a lot of kids were trying to get back for that.”

* * * *

Leading the highlights for 6A runner-up and East Kansas League champion Blue Valley North were junior Griffin Peavey’s repeat victory in the 100 breaststroke (57.28), along with Mustangs victories in the 200 medley relay (Nathan Hoisington, Peavey, Sihan Liu and C.J. Shapland in 1:36.91); and 400 freestyle relay (Liu, Joe Lytle, Cameron Gulledge and Hoisington in 3:10.94); as well as Hoisington’s runner-up finish in the 200 IM (1:52.23).

“The team fought hard and swam very well throughout the weekend,” Blue Valley North coach Derek Berg said. “They just couldn’t overcome what SM East was able to put together in the prelims. All of my guys dropped time, and most of them moved up on Saturday, so I am not disappointed in how they swam, and any place in the top three at state is pretty good.”

If not a state title, the Mustangs certainly returned home with plenty in the way of highlights, even beyond the high placements.

“Overall, we broke five school records, achieved four automatic All-American times and two All-American consideration times, so I was pleased,” Berg said. “All three relays were school records. The medley and 400 free were All-American, with the 200 free relay an All-American consideration.

“Hoisington’s IM and Peavey’s breaststroke were All-America, and Peavey’s 200 IM (third place, in 1:54.29) was an All-American consideration. Hoisington’s 100 butterfly (second place, in 51.76) was also a school record.”

While graduation will take a toll, Berg said he remains confident in his program’s future.

“We lose some big point guys from this year,” he said, “but we still look pretty strong with what is coming back, so we’ll start looking forward to next year.”

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