LOUISBURG — Despite being less than a decade old, the Louisburg boys’ swim team knows what it takes to make noise at the state meet. 

Now, the Wildcats believe they have what it takes to take another step forward. 

After finishing seventh at last season’s Class 5-1A state meet with just four swimmers, Louisburg is looking to build on that performance this winter — and the arrival of junior Casey Carpenter-Ross has given the program an immediate and significant boost. 

Carpenter-Ross, a club swimmer making his first season with the Louisburg program, has wasted no time making an impact. Through the early part of the season, he owns the fastest times in Kansas Class 5-1A in the 50 freestyle (21.68 seconds), 100 freestyle (47.44), 200 freestyle (1:46.60) and 100 butterfly (53.30), while also posting the second-fastest time in the 500 freestyle (4:55.16). 

“Casey Carpenter-Ross is an experienced swimmer that has added an even bigger boost to an already thriving crew,” Louisburg head coach Mary Argeropoulos said. “He brings the experience and speed that earns him instant respect. He is swimming amazingly well for himself and is happy with the times he has laid down so far. We are thrilled he’s joined Louisburg swim.” 
 

The junior’s presence has also elevated the Wildcats in the relay events. Along with Colin Brown, Andrew Jamison and Noah Sharp, Carpenter-Ross has helped Louisburg post the top Class 5-1A times in both the 200 medley relay (1:40.35) and the 200 freestyle relay (1:31.35), events that loom large when it comes to scoring at the state meet. 

Depth and balance remain strengths for the Wildcats. Brown, a senior, sits right behind Carpenter-Ross in the 100 butterfly with the second-fastest time in the class (53.82) and also ranks fourth in the 100 backstroke. Jamison is currently third in the 100 breaststroke, while Sharp has the eighth-fastest time in the 50 freestyle. 

Those performances build on a strong foundation from last season’s state meet. Brown returns after winning state titles in both the 100 butterfly and 100 backstroke, while Jamison medaled in the 200 individual medley and 100 breaststroke. The Wildcats are coming off a state runner-up finish in the 200 medley relay a year ago and took third in the 200 freestyle relay. 
 

Sharp also qualified for state events a year ago, giving the Wildcats a core that understands the moment and the stage. 

“All our returners came back building on their best from last year and most even stronger and faster,” Argeropoulos said. “Like most of the team, Andrew and Colin have come into this season faster and stronger. They lead by example and are a great asset to their teammates.” 

The Wildcats also benefit from a cooperative arrangement during the regular season, swimming alongside Osawatomie, Paola and Spring Hill before splitting off on their own for postseason competition — a setup Argeropoulos believes has helped accelerate the program’s growth. 

“Viewing our team (plus Paola & Spring Hill) within the spotlight of the state standings is a privilege for our emerging program,” she said. “The success these athletes are experiencing is backed by years and years of dedication to the craft of swimming, and we’re having a really wonderful time enjoying that success while continuing to better ourselves each day.” 

Other swimming standouts: 

• Piper swim is off to a good start to its season. The Pirates earned state qualification times in their 200 and 400 freestyle relays. Freshman Logan Broeke has also qualified for state in a pair of events in the 200 and 500 freestyle.  

• Olathe West’s Hayden Renoux is out to an undefeated season in the 500 freestyle and currently has the second fastest time in the state in the event. Renoux, Nolan Quinn, Alec Trubiroha and Daniel Trubiroha broke the school record in the 400 freestyle relay in 3:26.24.