News Summary

The 2025 All-Metro selections have celebrated outstanding talent among high school girls swimmers and divers in Wichita. Notable athletes include Co-Swimmers of the Year Aleca Howard and Mari Griffin, alongside impressive performances from rising stars like Jillian Davis and Kiersten Elliott. The Andover team leads the pack with multiple state championships, showcasing excellent teamwork and depth in talent among young athletes. Coach Bethany Bastian guided the team to remarkable achievements, highlighting a bright future for Wichita’s swimming and diving scene.

Wichita Celebrates Stellar High School Girls Swimming and Diving Talent!

Wichita is buzzing with excitement as the finest high school girls swimmers and divers of the area have been recognized in the 2025 All-Metro team selection! This year’s selections showcase the dazzling skills of athletes from Sedgwick, Butler, and Harvey counties, with individual performances that have left fans cheering and jaws dropping.

Top Honors Go to the Stars of the Pool

In a thrilling season that came down to tight finishes, the spotlight shines brightest on Aleca Howard from Trinity Academy and Mari Griffin from Andover, who have been named Co-Swimmers of the Year. These two exceptional seniors clinched gold medals at the prestigious Class 5-1A state meet, solidifying their status as local legends.

Standout Performances You Can’t Miss!

Several athletes made headlines with their remarkable showings. Jillian Davis, a senior from Valley Center, showcased her prowess by finishing third in two events at the 5-1A state meet. She clocked a stunning 58.34 in the 100 butterfly and 57.65 in the 100 backstroke. Meanwhile, Andover’s own Kiersten Elliott shone as an individual champion, clocking in at 1:04.75 in the 100 breaststroke while also helping her team achieve their second consecutive 5-1A state championship.

But the action didn’t stop there! Mari Griffin set the pool ablaze, posting an eye-popping record time of 54.88 in the backstroke and contributing to Andover’s impressive two state championships.

Aleca Howard defended her title in the 200 IM with a time of 2:03.50 and secured second place in the 100 free, finishing at 51.92. Jordan Kleeman, a junior at East, earned double medals at the 6A state meet, grabbing third in the 100 butterfly (57.89) and fifth in the 100 backstroke (59.47).

Recognizing Rising Stars

Kate Kochenderfer from Kapaun Mt. Carmel also made waves in the pool, earning medals in the 500 free (5:07.74) and 200 free (1:56.54). Not to be outdone, El Dorado’s Briley Larcom finished impressively with a third-place time of 24.43 in the 50 free and sixth in 100 free (53.85). Three-time All-Metro selection Sophia Mandanis from Andover showcased her talents remarkably, finishing second in the 100 butterfly (58.33) and third in the 100 breaststroke (1:07.11).

Diving into the action, Sydney Schumaker, a junior from Maize South, took the top diver title, finishing third at the state meet with an impressive score of 393.1 points. Genevieve Wilhite from Bishop Carroll also made her mark as a three-time All-Metro selection, with strong performances earning her fourth in the 200 free (1:54.11) and 100 backstroke (57.96).

A Team That Stands Together

Andover’s dominance didn’t just stop at individual achievements. Their 200 medley relay team, consisting of Mari Griffin, Kiersten Elliott, Sophia Mandanis, and Hollyn Griffin, won their fourth straight state title with a spectacular time of 1:46.09. They also brought home a state championship in the 400 free relay, turning in a season-best time of 3:33.99.

All of this remarkable success can be credited to Coach Bethany Bastian, who guided Andover to their second 5-1A team championship, adding to their 2022 win.

Fresh Faces Ready to Shine

While seniors and seasoned competitors stole the show, let’s not forget the emerging talent! Freshmen like Hollyn Griffin and Alli Zerger from Andover made waves in the relay events, poising themselves for a bright future. Additionally, senior Sydney Albers (Heights) and junior Maggie Bailey (Bishop Carroll) received well-deserved recognition in the All-Metro selections, proving that the talent pool in the Wichita area is deep and flourishing.

This year’s All-Metro selections truly reflect the depth and excellence of high school swimming and diving talent in Wichita. With extraordinary achievements and a vibrant spirit, these young athletes have set the bar high for future seasons!

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