By Chris Parker
There are many talented swimmers across our coverage area. Below are some of the top Swimmers to watch this season
This watchlist can be found in print in the Fall O-Zone Preview Magazine available this week at all southwest Missouri Casey’s general stores.
Ilya Balyuk, Kickapoo Junior
Balyuk earned all-state honors in the 100-yard backstroke swimming a time of 53.86, which earned him a seventh-place finish at the Class 2 state meet. He also earned all-state honors swimming a leg on Kickapoo’s seventh-place-finishing 400-yard freestyle relay.
Jack Beatty, Glendale Senior
Beatty’s top individual finish at the Class 1 state meet was a sixth-place showing in the 50-yard freestyle (21.92). He was ninth in the 100-yard freestyle (47.70). Beatty picked up two more all-state honors swimming legs on Glendale state-champion 200-yard freestyle relay and fourth-place 200-yard medley relay.
Lucas Chadwell, Glendale Junior
Chadwell’s top individual finish at last year’s Class 1 state meet came in the 100-yard backstroke, where he finished seventh overall in a time of 53.50. He was 12th individually in the 100-yard freestyle (48.71). Chadwell also earned all-state honors as a part of Glendale’s third-place-finishing 400-yard freestyle relay and fourth-place-finishing 200-yard medley relay.
Caleb Chrestman, Ozark Senior
Chrestman posted two top-four finishes at the Class 2 state meet as a junior. His top showing was in the 100-yard freestyle where he finished third (46.92). In the 50-yard freestyle, Chrestman’s time of 21.46 was good enough for fourth place. Chrestman also was a part of Ozark’s 11th-place-finishing 200-yard freestyle relay.
Trey Flouer, Glendale Junior
Flouer earned all-state honors in four total events last year. He was fourth in the 100-yard backstroke (51.62) and fifth in the 50-yard freestyle (21.90). Flouer also was a part of Glendale’s third-place 400-yard freestyle relay and fourth-place 200-yard medley relay.
Ben Hines, Nevada Senior
Hines enters his senior year as one of the best swimmers in the entire state. Hines brought home two individual titles from last year’s Class 1 state meet. He set the all-class record in the 50-yard freestyle with a time of 20.07. Hines set the Class 1 record in the 100-yard freestyle posting a time of 45.25. The Nevada senior also swam legs on Nevada’s 200-yard freestyle relay (fifth) and 200-yard medley relay (ninth).
Michael Jasinksi, Glendale Junior
Jasinksi brought home four all-state finishes from last year’s Class 1 state meet. He was the state runner-up in the 200-yard freestyle (1:41.07), while finishing fifth in the 100-yard freestyle (46.60). His final two all-state finishes came swimming legs on Glendale’s state champion 200-yard freestyle relay and third-place 400-yard freestyle relay.
Colin McNew, Glendale Senior
McNew returns as the area’s strongest long-distance swimmer. He placed sixth in the 500-yard freestyle (4:48.98) at the Class 1 state meet. He finished 11th in the 200-yard freestyle in a time of 1:45.87. McNew brought home two more all-state finishes by swimming legs on Glendale’s 200-yard freestyle relay and third-place 400-yard freestyle relay.
Gavin Schulte, Camdenton Senior
Two years ago, Gavin Schulte became the first Camdenton swimmer to win a state medal. Last year, he brought home two medals by placing in the 50-yard freestyle (fourth place – 21.89) and the 100-yard freestyle (seventh place – 48.46).
Ben Wardlow, Joplin Senior
Wardlow earned an all-state honor in Class 2 swimming a leg on Joplin’s eighth-place-finishing 200-yard freestyle relay. He also placed 16th in the 100-yard freestyle with a time of 51.06.
