EMPORIA --  The Great Bend boys swim team delivered a series of solid performances Thursday at the Emporia Invite, competing against a deep field that included Washburn Rural, Emporia High and Topeka Seaman.

Eli Somers led the way for the Panthers with multiple standout swims. Somers finished third in the 50-yard freestyle (24.55), narrowly missing the top two in a tightly contested sprint race. He followed that effort with an impressive runner-up finish in the 500-yard freestyle (6:03.57), the second-fastest time.

Great Bend showed depth in distance events. Cade Urban placed 16th in the 200-yard freestyle (2:53.51), while Draiden Kracman followed closely in 18th (2:55.56). In the 200-yard individual medley, Kale Mermis earned a sixth-place finish (2:48.46), adding valuable points for the team.

Relay events proved to be another bright spot for the Panthers. The 200-yard freestyle relay team of Kale Mermis, Mark Sperlein, Cade Urban and Eli Somers placed ninth (1:54.4). The 400-yard freestyle relay squad closed the meet with a determined effort, finishing in 13th place (5:33.8).

Additional individual highlights included Mark Sperlein’s fifth-place finish in the 100-yard butterfly (1:16.69) and Kale Mermis placing ninth in the 100-yard backstroke (1:20.19).

Great Bend finished tied for seventh overall in the team standings, demonstrating continued growth and competitiveness as the season progressed.

Great Bend swimming coach Kari Carper said the Panthers look to build on Thursday’s momentum as it prepares for upcoming meets.

EMPORIA INVITE