BonnerSprings.com

With each passing season, the Bonner Springs High School boys swimming team continues to set a higher standard for success. Fifth-year coach Lynn LaNoue expects the 2011-2012 campaign to be no different.

The Braves return five letter-winners from last year’s team. Three of them — Ethan Hook, Blaine Edmondson and Ryan Cook — were part of the 200-yard freestyle and 200-yard medley relay teams that (along with then-seniors Tyler Dubin and Jonathan Price) competed at the Class 5-1A state championships.

The freestyle relay team placed 10th at the state championships, so having a trio of high-level competitors back has the Braves in their best position ever at the start of a season.

Cook, Edmondson, Hook and veteran Jesse Anderson make up a senior core that LaNoue will count on to lead the program this season.

“Hard work and commitment by the returning swimmers (will be important) so the new swimmers know what the standards are,” LaNoue said. “Though we lost some key athletes in our program at last year’s graduation, we have some very capable new swimmers who are more than capable of keeping the momentum set by last year’s team.”

Among those newcomers is senior Nate Mitchell — a standout soccer and track athlete, as well as the place kicker on the football team — who is used to having a high level of success. Freshman Jordan Kraus and sophomore Thomas Hook also are expected to make an immediate impact.

LaNoue said the team has its sights set on performing well at the Wyandotte County Championships and the Inter-League Championships, and the ultimate goal is to qualify multiple relay teams and individuals for the state championships.

The Braves open the season at 4 p.m. today at Shawnee Mission West.

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