BonnerSprings.com

Emily Herre added to her legacy as the best swimmer in Bonner Springs High School history last week at the Inter-League Championships.

Having already qualified for state in two individual events, the 50-yard freestyle and 100 breaststroke, she added a third qualifying time when she finished second in the 100 freestyle in 59.89 seconds, eclipsing her previous best time by more than 4 seconds.

By qualifying for a third event, Herre faces a tough decision — an individual swimmer can only compete in two events at state.

“I haven’t decided which ones I am going to swim in yet,” Herre said. “I really want to do my best and plan on keeping my same routine; no need to change things up now.”

This has not been a short journey for Herre who has been swimming for the better part of 14 years. This comes as a nice way to close out her competitive swimming career.

She credits her superior senior season to her hard work in the offseason that included swimming for the competitive Bonner Springs Swim Club. The only other varsity swimmer to join her over the summer was sophomore Toni Stock, Bonner’s second most consistent swimmer.

It is also fortunate for Herre that the Kansas State High School Activities Association decided to break up the all-class championships and have separate Class 6A and Class 5-1A meets. That allowed for a larger pool of qualifiers.

“It is just easier for smaller schools to go this year,” Herre said. “I thought I could do it, but I knew I would have to take a big step up between my junior and senior year.”

Herre said this season has been the best as far as being part of a team goes.

“We all make sure we are always cheering for each other when (girls) are in the water,” Herre said. “We are standing at the other side of the lane clapping and rooting for them and leave the instruction to the coaches.”

Herre — who graduated last Thursday — is planning on going to Kansas University and studying to become a pediatric nurse. Last summer, in addition to club swimming, she went to New York City with the United Methodist Church of Bonner Springs for mission work. She spent time visiting daycares and really connected with the children.

“I have always loved kids,” Herre said. “The mission just helped narrow down what it is that I was going to go to school for.”

Herre’s senior year has not been all that easy to stay focused.

“I have senioritis big-time,” Herre said. “Even when it comes to swimming, I think I am getting tired of it, but I have to stay focused for one more week.”

Not many people do the same thing for 14 years. Herre, for instance, started swimming for the Lake of the Forest Swim Club at age 4 and has not looked back. But she knows how rare it is to keep up something for that long.

“I used to play piano and do a lot of other things to keep active, but swimming I have really stuck with,” she said.

Before spending her summer as a swim instructor, Herre has some more work to do. There is no more reading or arithmetic left in her high school career. Now she will work on flip turns, perfecting her stroke and optimizing her breathing patterns. Then, on Friday she will do the same thing she has always done: stand behind the starting blocks and shake her hands and legs trying to stay loose for one last dip in the pool — only this time it will be at the state championships.

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