The West Plains boys swimming and diving team captured first place in seven of 12 events to defeat the Poplar Bluff Mules 69-46 at the West Plains Duals on Sept. 24.
Event winners for the Zizzers included:
• 200-yard medley relay: Alec Morrison, Rhys Kerley, Tanner Land and Dane Kirby (2:15.30).
• 200 individual medley: Alec Morrison (2:41.76).
• 50 freestyle: Tanner Land (27.14).
• 1-meter diving (six dives): Chance Bradfute (150.75).
• 400 freestyle: Matthew Stewart (6:04.92).
• 100 backstroke: Tanner Land (1:13.54).
• 400 freestyle relay: Rhys Kerley, Alec Morrison, Dane Kirby and Tanner Land (4:37.33).
"Chance Bradfute scored 20 points higher in diving from his first meet two weeks ago," West Plains Head Coach Ryan Smith said. "Tanner Land swam a best time in both the 50 freestyle and 100 backstroke, barely missing a state consideration cut in the 50 freestyle by seven-hundredths of a second. The 200 medley relay improved their state consideration time and ranking."
West Plains takes fourth at Monett Invitational
Following the dual victory, West Plains competed at the 14-team Monett Invitational, finishing in fourth place behind Carthage, Nevada and tournament champion Monett.
Medalists for the Zizzers included:
• 1-meter diving (11 dives): Chance Bradfute (second).
• 100 backstroke: Alec Morrison (second).
• 100 butterfly: Alec Morrison (third).
• 500 freestyle: Alec Morrison (third).
• 400 freestyle relay: Tanner Land, Rhys Kerley, Dane Kirby and Alec Morrison (third).
• 200 freestyle relay: Alec Morrison, Dane Kirby, Rhys Kerley and Tanner Land (fourth).
• 100 freestyle: Tanner Land (fifth).
• 200 freestyle: Rhys Kerley (fifth), Dane Kirby (eighth).
• 50 freestyle: Tanner Land (seventh).
"Alec Morrison earned his first-ever individual state consideration cut in the 100 backstroke," Smith said. "Chance Bradfute, in his first-ever 11-dive meet, qualified for Missouri State High School Activities Association diving districts in November. In two events, the 100 freestyle and 100 backstroke, Matthew Stewart dropped over 17 seconds total and is continuing to show improvement as a new swimmer. Both relays dropped significant time, improving their state consideration cuts and rankings."
The Zizzers returned to the pool at 4:30 p.m. Friday for the Hillcrest Duals in Springfield. They will travel to Smith's alma mater for the Jefferson City Invitational at 5 p.m. Thursday.
West Plains freshman Matthew Stewart takes a breath on his way to winning the 400 freestyle on Sept. 24, at the West Plains Civic Center. Stewart finished in 6:04.92 to help the Zizzers defeat Poplar Bluff 69-46. West Plains won seven of the meet's 12 events.
JOHN DEATHERAGE/FOR THE QUILL
