Update: When the final state rankings came out, Martin learned he had qualified in an individual event, too. Martin will swim in the 200 yard individual medley, having finished with the 22nd best time in the state this season.
In just its second season, the Republic swim and dive team will have five athletes competing at the state meet. With the addition of an alternate, all six members of the young Tiger program will be in St. Peters next weekend.
The 400 yard freestyle relay team earned its place by knocking 12 seconds off its previous best time last weekend – but only learned this week that its time was fast enough to qualify. Bryce Martin, Seth Lock, Easton Bruton, and Brady Lewis have the 19th-best time in the state in that event this season.
“Getting the 400 free relay … in the state championship meet is a big deal. This year, (the Missouri State High School Activities Association) has limited the meet to the top 24 in each event instead of the typical top 32,” said coach Steve Boyce. “We are ranked 19th, and with a little more improvement, we can get into the top 16 and score team points.”
The relay team joins diver Justice Murray, who earned his spot with a career best score in last weekend’s SWMO regional meet.
“We are very excited for Justice. He has polished up his diving this season,” Boyce said. “Last year, he showed a lot of raw talent. This year he put some show on top of the talent.”
Martin, Lock, Bruton, and Lewis are the first male swimmers to qualify for state competition. Two divers, Justice and Dylan Murray, qualified last fall. Shael Wilson, the sixth member of the team, will join his teammates as an alternate in St. Peters. Boyce said he’s enjoyed this season with all six team members.
“The guys have been so much fun to coach this year. They now know what kind of work it takes to be successful. We are excited for their opportunity next week.”