CLASS 6A BOYS SWIMMERS AND DIVERS TO WATCH IN 2025-26
 
 

CORBIN BRADWELL, OLATHE EAST

Olathe East junior Corbin Bradwell returns as one of the Hawks’ top point-scorers and the lone veteran from last season’s state-champion 200-yard medley relay. Bradwell also played a key role on the 400 freestyle relay, helping the Hawks secure a strong fourth-place finish at state. Individually, Bradwell showed he can compete with the best in multiple events. He reached the consolation finals in the 200 IM, placing ninth and finishing just one spot shy of a state medal. He did reach the podium in the 500 freestyle, where he took fifth in 4:57, setting himself up as a contender for even more hardware this winter. 
 

BRYAN BRANSTROM, OLATHE NORTHWEST

Olathe Northwest senior Bryan Branstrom is poised to make a big splash in his final high school season. The 6-foot-7 sprint standout returns as the top contender in the 50-yard freestyle after finishing fourth at last year’s Class 6A state meet in 21.43 seconds, making him the fastest returning swimmer in the field. Branstrom also proved his range in the 100 freestyle, where he earned a seventh-place medal in 47.91 and collected second team Class 6A all-state honors. 
 

KHASAR CHINBAT, BLUE VALLEY NORTH

Fresh off a strong postseason, Khasar Chinbat enters his senior year ready to help Blue Valley North chase a fourth consecutive state crown. A steady contributor in last year’s championship run, Chinbat earned second team all-state honors and delivered two state-medal performances, placing seventh in the 200 IM (2:00.33) and fourth in the 500 freestyle (4:50.60). With his versatility, he’s expected to be one of the Mustangs’ anchors once again this season. 
 

CAMERON HAGEN, BLUE VALLEY NORTHWEST

Blue Valley Northwest junior Cameron Hagen is poised for a big season after a strong showing at last year’s Class 6A state championships. Hagen brought home three state medals, highlighted by an eighth-place finish in the 100 butterfly with a time of 53.97. A key relay contributor, Hagen swam the second leg on the Huskies’ state runner-up 400 freestyle relay, helping power Northwest to one of its best finishes of the meet. He also handled the breaststroke leg on the 200 medley relay that earned a third-place medal. Hagen showed his versatility individually as well, reaching the consolation finals of the 100 backstroke, where he placed 10th in 55.84. 
 

 
KENTON HOLMES, CAMPUS
 
Holmes, a senior, made a big leap last winter in his second year of competitive diving. He posted the state’s season-best, 11-dive mark of 477.65 at a home meet in January before finishing fourth at the Class 6A state meet. It came on the heels of a 10^th place state finish in his debut season. Holmes posted scores of 400 or better in all 11-dive competitions except one last year. He enters this season as Campus’ school record holder and reigning Ark Valley-Chisholm Trail I champion.
 
 

GRANT KIMMEL, SHAWNEE MISSION EAST

Shawnee Mission East senior Grant Kimmel returns as one of the state’s most versatile swimmers. The Lancers have finished as the Class 6A runner-up each of the past two seasons, and Kimmel’s ability to excel both on the boards and in the pool has been a major factor. Last winter, Kimmel was the only athlete in Kansas to reach the state finals in both diving and a swimming event. He placed sixth in the 1-meter diving competition with a score of 389.30, adding another top-eight finish in the 100 breaststroke by clocking 1:02.83. 
 

EMMET LYNCH, SHAWNEE MISSION EAST

Shawnee Mission East junior Emmet Lynch returns as a key piece for a Lancers squad aiming to contend for another top finish at state. Lynch earned two medals during last year’s runner-up campaign, highlighted by a third-place performance in the 500-yard freestyle with a time of 4:50.20. He also reached the podium in the 200 freestyle, placing eighth in 1:50.12. A second-team all-state selection, Lynch enters the season as one of SME’s most reliable distance swimmers.
 

ELLIS MALONE, OLATHE EAST

Olathe East senior Ellis Malone enters his final season with a clear target in sight: a long-awaited state diving championship. After finishing third as a sophomore and climbing to runner-up last season with a score of 425.25, Malone is poised to make a serious run at the 1-meter title. With two-time state champion Giani Benoit now graduated, the path opens for Malone to finally claim the top spot on the podium. He’ll look to become the Hawks’ second state diving champion in four years, following Charlie Mathews’ 2023 victory. 
 

ANDREW MARTIN, MILL VALLEY

Mill Valley junior Andrew Martin enters the new season with momentum and big expectations. The Jaguars’ standout backstroker broke through last winter with a fourth-place state medal in the 100 backstroke, clocking in at 53.26 seconds. That performance makes him the second-fastest returning swimmer in Class 6A, right alongside Blue Valley West’s Nathan Weiner. Martin also holds the school record in the event. He also won the Sunflower League title in the 100 back, and he’ll look to add a state championship push to his résumé this year. He also brings versatility, having qualified for state in the 100 butterfly and finishing 13th in the consolation finals. 
 

JACK MUNRO, BLUE VALLEY NORTH

Blue Valley North senior Jack Munro returns as a key piece for a Mustangs squad chasing a fourth straight state championship. Munro played a significant role in last season’s title run, picking up two individual state medals. He finished fourth in the 100-yard butterfly in 52.68 and added a fifth-place medal in the 100 backstroke at 54.21. He was also a member of the 200 freestyle relay that took third at state a year ago and was named to the all-state second team.  
 

COLTON POE, BLUE VALLEY WEST

Blue Valley West senior Colton Poe enters the 2025 season as one of Kansas’ premier returning swimmers and a key piece in the Jaguars’ push for another top-three state finish. Poe is coming off a dominant junior campaign in which he collected four state medals, highlighted by a state runner-up finish in the 100-yard butterfly with a time of 50.94 seconds. He also placed third in the 200 IM in 1:55.06, making him the top returning swimmer in both events this year. Poe’s impact extended to the relays as well, contributing to two state-medal performances that helped propel BV West to third place overall. 
 

NOAH PRATT, BLUE VALLEY NORTH

Blue Valley North junior Noah Pratt steps into a larger role this winter as the Mustangs chase a fourth straight state championship. Pratt is the lone returning swimmer from last season’s state-champion 400-yard freestyle relay, giving North a key piece of championship experience. Pratt also proved himself individually a year ago. He earned a state medal in the 100 butterfly, finishing sixth in 53.35, and narrowly missed another podium in the 200 freestyle, placing ninth in 1:47.39 after reaching the consolation finals. 
 

 
HAYDEN RENOUX, OLATHE WEST

Olathe West senior Hayden Renoux returns as one of Kansas’ premier distance swimmers, carrying the momentum of a championship season into his final high school campaign. Renoux captured the 500-yard freestyle state title last winter in 4:42.46, edging Maize’s Kooper Johnson at the wall, and also claimed the Sunflower League crown in the event. He proved his range as well, adding a fourth-place state medal in the 200 freestyle with a 1:44.75. Named the 2025 Olathe Boys Swimmer of the Year, Renoux enters the season holding five individual school records and contributing to two relay marks. 
 

SAM RICHARDSON, SHAWNEE MISSION WEST

Shawnee Mission West senior Sam Richardson returns as one of the Vikings’ top sprint threats after a breakout junior season. Richardson earned a pair of state medals in the freestyle events, highlighted by a sixth-place finish in the 50-yard freestyle. His time of 21.61 seconds not only secured a spot on the podium but also set a new school record. He added an eighth-place medal in the 100 freestyle at 48.87, capping a performance that earned him second team all-state and second team All-Sunflower League honors. 
 

 
ZACH RIFE, MAIZE
 
Given the moniker “Hulk” by his coach, Tedd Gibson, Rife broke through last season and won the Class 6A 100- and 200-yard freestyle titles. After finishing third at state in both events as a freshman and sophomore, Rife blazed to the 100 free title in a state season-best time of 46.10. Rife also carved away at his school-record time in the 200 free, swimming 1:40.02 in the state prelims before winning the event in 1:40.60. Part of state medal-winning relay teams in each of his first three seasons, Rife enters his senior campaign with 12 career state medals.
 
 

BEN SCOTT, BLUE VALLEY WEST

Blue Valley West senior Ben Scott returns as a key veteran presence for a Jaguars squad aiming to stay near the top of Class 6A. A team captain this season, Scott brings experience and reliability after collecting three state medals as a junior. His strongest individual showing came in the 500-yard freestyle, where he placed sixth in 5:00.21, and he added valuable points in two state-medal relays. Scott also reached the consolation finals of the 200 freestyle, finishing 12th in 1:50.08. 
 

NATHAN WEINER, BLUE VALLEY WEST

Blue Valley West’s junior standout Nathan Weiner is set for another breakout season after playing a major role in the Jaguars’ third-place state finish a year ago. Weiner returns as the top swimmer in the 100 backstroke after taking state runner-up honors in 51.61 seconds, and he’s poised to challenge for his first individual title. He also delivered a strong fourth-place finish in the 200 IM (1:57.22), slotting in just behind teammate Colton Poe. Add in two relay medals from last season, and Weiner enters the year as one of West’s most dependable point scorers and a swimmer to watch in multiple events. 

BRADEN ZIMMERMAN, OLATHE NORTHWEST

Olathe Northwest senior Braden Zimmerman enters his final season poised to climb even higher on the state stage. Zimmerman broke through last year with his first state medal, placing fifth in the 1-meter diving competition with a score of 412. He also delivered a strong showing in the Sunflower League, taking fourth. With three of last year’s top five divers returning—including Olathe East standout Ellis Malone and Campus’ Kenton Holmes—Zimmerman will again face a highly competitive field.