The 2025 Sunflower League Swim Meet was held on Friday, July 12th, in Seneca, bringing together young swimmers from five communities: Marysville, Sabetha, Seneca, Hiawatha, and Falls City. Athletes competed in five age groups—8 & Under, 9–10, 11–12, 13–14, and 15–18—across a full schedule of events.

Races included the Medley Relay, Individual Medley (IM), backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly, freestyle, and extended freestyle (50 meters for swimmers 12 and under, and 100 meters for ages 13 and up), finishing with the Free Relay.

Sabetha delivered an outstanding performance to take first place overall, earning a combined 1,184 points. Currently coached by Kara Tramp and Luke Scoby, with Amy Keim and Danielle Rebant coming in next year, Sabetha’s boys team earned an impressive 764 points, with the girls team adding 420. Marysville, under the guidance of Audrey Pilsl and Taylor Douglas, secured second place overall with a total of 553 points—165 from the boys and 388 from the girls. Hiawatha, led by Amanda Clark and Paige Mueller, claimed third with 500 points (166 boys / 334 girls).

Host team Seneca, coached by Celene Holthaus, earned 299 points overall (181 boys / 118 girls), showing resilience and spirit throughout the day. Falls City, led by Krystal Holmes and Rachel Jackson, finished with 164 points, made up of 69 from the boys and 95 from the girls.

Hiawatha Swim Team

The Hiawatha Dolphins swimmers brought home a number of first-place finishes, led by their relay teams. The 8 & Under girls' team of Malia Aller, Olivia Jagels, Annie Nigus, and Rylee James won their medley relay, while the 9–10 girls' medley relay was won by Reagan James, Bristol Neibling, Emmy Nigus, and Landynn Patton. The 11–12 boys' medley relay team of Jackson Jagels, Quinn Leahy, Porter Hillyer, and Brody Nigus also took first. The girls' 9-10 freestyle relay team of Malia Aller, Rylee James, Olivia Jagels, and Annie Nigus also secured a first-place finish.

In individual events, Brody Nigus won the 11–12 boys' individual medley and 50-meter extended freestyle, and Annie Nigus was a double winner in the 8 & Under girls' individual medley and butterfly. Hiawatha also saw victories from Rylee James (8 & Under backstroke), Landynn Patton (9–10 backstroke and 25-meter freestyle), Madeline Aller (11–12 backstroke), Jackson Jagels (11–12 backstroke), Jaydee Siebenmorgen (13–14 50-meter and 100-meter extended freestyle), and Asher Leahy (15–18 100-meter extended freestyle).

Coaches Amanda Clark and Paige Mueller, both in their first year with the team, were very pleased with Hiawatha’s third-place finish. “Our team had significant personal growth throughout the season,” said Coach Clark. “It can be a challenge for coaches to get kids to focus in practices, especially with friendships on the team, but it was always fun to watch them stay on task!” Coach Mueller added, “Watching the kids learn to work with each other, improve their times and skills, and have fun was a rewarding experience. Going against some amazing teams and coaches was a fun challenge this year!”

Sabetha Swim Team

Sabetha Sharks swimmers delivered a dominant performance, earning numerous first-place finishes and setting several new pool records. The girls' 11–12 medley relay team of Autumn Lang, Ava Coughlin, Sophia Tyler, and Claire Kaeb took first. Sabetha's 9-10 boys' medley relay team of Fenton Keim, Kruze Moeller, Gib Yoder, and Cash Rebant set a new pool record. 13–14 medley with Grant Stapleton, Gage Rebant, Uriah Kaeb, and Hudson Scoby and 15–18 medley with Ike Tramp, Malachi Strahm, Josh Enneking, and Kaeb Coughlin. Sabetha’s relay dominance also included a new pool record for the 8 & Under boys' freestyle relay in Kip Moeller, Simon Heiniger, Tucker Keim, and Abel Renyer, a new pool record for the 9–10 boys' freestyle relay with Kruze Moeller, Cash Rebant, Fenton Reim, and Wyatt Herrmann, a new pool record for the 11–12 boys' freestyle relay with Henry Keim, Liam, Owen, Hank, and a win for the 13–14 boys' freestyle relay Hudson Scoby, Uriah Kaeb, and Gage Rebant.

Individual victories included Malachi Strahm (15–18 boys' individual medley and butterfly), Hudson Scoby (13–14 boys' individual medley and 50-meter freestyle), and Kruze Moeller (9–10 boys' individual medley, butterfly, and 50-meter extended freestyle, with his individual medley and freestyle relay wins setting new pool records). Abel Renyer was a quadruple winner in the 8 & Under boys' backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly, and 50-meter extended freestyle. Sabetha also saw wins from Esti Scoby (8 & Under girls' breaststroke and 25-meter freestyle, with a new pool record in the 50-meter extended freestyle), Ike Tramp (15–18 boys' backstroke and a new pool record in the breaststroke), Autumn Lang (11–12 girls' breaststroke), Ava Coughlin (11–12 girls' butterfly), Henry Keim (11–12 boys' breaststroke, butterfly, and 25-meter freestyle), Gage Rebant (13–14 boys' breaststroke and 100-meter extended freestyle), Caleb Heiniger (13–14 boys' butterfly), and Josh Enneking (15–18 boys' 50-meter freestyle).

“What an incredible seven weeks it has been! Sabetha Sharks brought together 93 swimmers, each bringing their energy, dedication, and drive to the pool. With two practices a day, our athletes made the most of every opportunity to grow—and the improvement across all age groups was truly remarkable. From faster times to stronger strokes and improved confidence, this season showcased just how much can happen with commitment and teamwork.”

This summer also marked a bittersweet milestone as we said farewell to two of our longtime leaders. Kara Tramp and Luke Scoby are retiring after 8 years of dedicated service. Their impact on our swimmers, families, and the entire swim community is immeasurable. They’ve been the heart of this team, guiding, inspiring, and shaping countless young athletes. We thank them for their unwavering commitment and wish them all the best in their next chapter—you’ll always be a part of our swim family.

Marysville Swim Team

Marysville’s girls teams were particularly strong, securing a number of relay and individual victories. The girls' 13–14 medley relay team of Alissa Butler, Lillian Coble, and Lucy Zierlein won, as did the 15–18 girls' medley relay team of Olivia Zierlein, Ella Schroller, Ashlyn Friedrichs, and Ryleigh Wilkinson. In freestyle relays, the 9-10 girls' team of Madden Lowrey, Harper Coble and Belle set a new pool record, while the 13–14 girls, Alissa Butler, Lillian Coble, and Lucy Zierlein, and 15–18 girls with Ryleigh Wilkinson, Ella Schroller, Olivia Zierlein, and Ashlyn Friedrichs also won the event.

Marysville nearly swept the girls' individual medley events with wins from Madden Lowrey (9–10), Ellinor Haight (11–12), Lillian Coble (13–14), and Olivia Zierlein (15–18), with Liam Johnson also winning the 8 & Under boys' individual medley. Lillian Coble had an outstanding meet, also taking first in the 13–14 girls' backstroke and setting a new pool record in the 13–14 girls' breaststroke. Other victories included Ryleigh Wilkinson (15–18 girls' backstroke), John Johnson (13–14 boys' backstroke), Jaxon Feldkamp (9–10 boys' breaststroke), Madden Lowrey (9–10 girls' butterfly and a new pool record in the 50-meter extended freestyle), Alissa Butler (13–14 girls' butterfly), Olivia Zierlein (15–18 girls' butterfly), Ellinor Haight (11–12 girls' 25-meter freestyle and 50-meter extended freestyle), and Ella Schroller (15–18 girls' 50-meter freestyle and 100-meter extended freestyle).

Seneca Swim Team

Seneca claimed several individual first-place finishes. Hank Holthaus was victorious in the 9–10 boys' backstroke, and Bailey Snyder won the 15–18 girls' breaststroke. The 15–18 boys' freestyle relay team of Kyler Ganstrom, Connor Lueger, and Caleb also took home a top spot.

Falls City Swim Team

The Falls City Barracudas earned a first-place win from Mavrick Holmes in the 8 & Under boys' 25-meter freestyle.