Makaylee Longoria
Sugar Beet staff reporter
For many years now the Great Bend Panthers have been one of the toughest teams that the Lady Aqua Buffs have had to compete against for the Wester Athletic Conference title.
The Buffs hosted their last meet at home this season as it was meant to be a memorable night for seniors Grace Schmidt, Josie Calzonetti, Kaitlyn Chappel, Laura Malagon Palacios and Megan Strecker.
Although they fell short to the Panthers any of the Buffalo swimmers swam their best times all season at the last meet.
Head Coach Jennifer Meng says if all the swimmers were to swim their best times they would have a shot to beat the panthers
“I think if everybody swims their best on the same day, we’ve got a shot,” Meng said. “We had a lot of sophomores and juniors drop times,” Meng said. “And it’s really impressive considering how much work they’ve been putting in.”
Megan Allen, sophomore, was part of the swim team last year and is excited to be back in the water with her teammates.
“We are all competing really well this year,” Allen said. “I’m ready to see where we can go this year with this team.”
Ashleigh Chappel, freshman, is having an exceptional first season on the Lady Buffs swim team as she and her 200-yard medley team are just one second short of qualifying that event for state.
“It’s been a great season so far,” Chappel said. “I’ve been able to bond well with the team and grow a lot as a swimmer.”
The Aqua Buffs will have nine full days until they will next compete where they will travel to Hutchinson Kansas on April 19. The start time for their next meet is set for 4 pm.
Makaylee Longoria is a trade and health academy sophomore. You may contact her at longoriam@student.gckschools.com.
Garden City High School 