State Update

Cade Heikes, Staff Writer

Boys swim and dive had a great season and the eagles worked hard all season to make sure they could hit the times they needed to make a splash at the state meet. 

The boys swim and dive state meet took place February 14-16, and saw four of Olathe North’s finest swimmer hit the pool. The 200 medley relay, comprised of Mason Askew, Jack Spanel, Derrick Yang and Aaden Lloyd qualified with a time of 1:51.72. At state the team swam 1:52.10. The same boys also qualified for the 200 free relay, and placed 22nd in a time of 1:38.29. 

Individually Derrick Yang was the sole qualifier for the boy’s state meet, while Jack Spanel was considered for the 500 free. Yang placed 24th in the 100 fly with a time of 58.47. He placed 17th in the 100 Breast with a time of 1:03.97. 

Derrick Yang and Jack spanel will be missed next year as these high performing seniors move on, but there will be spots available for young swimmers to step into. 

The bowling team is already very decorated, with many state championships in the last 10 years. This is special because many of our programs have championships, but they are from over 20 years ago. The bowling team is relevantly excellent and consistently achieving. 

The girls bowling team had an excellent state meet. The team placed 7th overall with a score of 2464. The team was comprised of Emily Stamper, Annabelle Bitner, Jordan Reynolds, Audrey Valdez, Skylar Valdez, and Aubrey Cox. 

Emily Stamper lead this outstanding girls team by placing 9th individually. She bowled 223, 178, and 138 for a score 539. Stamper and Skylar Valdez both were selected as first team all-state. 

The boys had one individual qualifier, Trent Liles, who went to the state tournament. 

The wrestling team went to the state tournament with high hopes and a powerful precedent of excellence. 

Keegan Slyter won the day for Olathe North wrestling, becoming a two-time state champion by defeating Bryce Wells of Derby 4-3 in the 126 weight class. In the championship match he scored 2 on an early takedown and then later 2 more on a quick reversal. 

The team as whole did well, scoring 73 points and placing 9th. They placed higher than every other Olathe school. Preceding state they were Sunflower League Champions. 

Coach Joshua Carroll was coming off his State championship season last year, and did not lower his standards by any means. He was not as impressed with the team performance, but only because he demands the best.

The Olathe North boys and girls basketball teams were both crowned sub-state champions. The boys snuck by Blue Valley West in an unforeseen nailbiter. However, they proved they belonged in the state playoff by defeating Blue Valley North 73-48. In the first round of the state playoffs, Olathe North lost a close game to reigning champions Blue Valley Northwest. The boys lost the game in the third quarter, failing to defensively clean up throughout the second half. Senior Tymer Jackson led the team in scoring, while KT Raimey punished BVNW’s big man with an electric NBA posterization. 

The girls team beat Blue valley in a thrilling triple overtime win in their first round of their tournament. The proceeding game the girls won by 18 points in overtime against Mill Valley. After winning their sub-state, they went on to play Washburn Rural but fell short in a loss where they just couldn’t cut a 10 point lead throughout the game.