BonnerSprings.com

Bonner Springs senior co-captain Zach Holder had his best swimming performance of the season for the Braves in the Wyandotte County Invitational.

Holder won three events in the meet on Thursday while leading the Braves to their first team championship of the season.

The Braves claimed the top bragging rights in Wyandotte County high school swimming by winning the meet with 90 points. Turner was second with 56 points while host team Washington/Sumner Academy was third with 55 points.

Holder won championship medals in the 100 backstroke, 200 medley relay and 200 free relay.

"This was the best meet of the season for Zach," assistant coach Jaye Shaer said. "He was strong everywhere. He also sets a great example for everybody on the team."

Holder said he was fairly new to swimming the 100 backstroke this year.

"I was just starting to swim it again this year," Holder said. "I had no clue how I would do. I thought I might have been in last place, but when I finished and I saw that everybody else was still swimming, I felt pretty nice about it."

Holder also shone in the relay events.

"I swim the back in the medley relay and I am the first swimmer in that relay," Holder said. "I try to keep maintained in the relays."

With this being Holder's senior season he is hoping to finish strong after a slow start with a minor ear injury.

The Kaw Valley League doesn't have an official league meet, but this year the Braves will swim at Turner on Feb. 5 in a meet especially designed for those teams who don't have a conference meet.

Junior Alex Sullivan joined Holder in helping the 200 medley and 200 free relays to their victories. Also on both of those relay teams were Ryan Holcomb and Josh Cook.

"I was swimming the 50 on each relay," Sullivan said. "I have been picking up my time and getting those down. I am happy to be on those real good teams. I seem to be getting stronger and cutting a lot off my time in the 50 and 100 since last year."

Sullivan also placed sixth in the 100 free in 1:14.53 and earned a fifth in the 50 free in 32.80.

"That was my fastest 100 ever," Sullivan said. "I lost my race by seconds. But I still got sixth so I can't be disappointed."

Shaer said Sullivan plays an important role on the team.

"Alex has been consistent for us this season," Shaer said. "He listens to feedback and responds very well. He is always doing what he is asked. He is improving and helping our team's production."

Matt Bille collected firsts in the 100 butterfly and the 500 freestyle . He also swam a leg on the 400 freestyle relay that got third in 5:21.30.

Other members of the 400 free relay were Mike Brown, T.J. Johnson and Jake Moulin.

Brown added a sixth in the 100 backstroke while Moulin was fifth in the 500 free.

J.K. Kraus earned a second in the 100 fly and a fourth in the 500 free.

Senior co-captain Josh Cook took first in the 100 breaststroke and notched a second in the 50 free. Sophomore Ryan Holcomb was also a double winner in the 200 IM and the 100 free.

Johnson also earned a third in the 100 breaststroke.

Holder added a fourth in the 100 fly.

In the 200 freestyle relay, the Braves had a second squad of Mike Brown, TJ Johnson, Jake Moulin and JK Kraus get third in 2:16.30.

Coach Shaer said the entire team came together in their best meet this season for just about everybody.

"This is the proudest I've been of the team all season," Shaer said. "We were positive and showed good sportsmanship. We were always cheering each other on. I am glad they could all be there for that meet."

Comments