For the first time in school history, Bishop Miege’s girls swimming team is a state champion.
Led by senior Cailey Grunhard, who took first in both the 100-yard butterfly and the 100-yard backstroke, the Stags unseated Blue Valley Southwest, which had taken the 5-1A title each of the past four years, at the Capitol Federal Natatorium in Topeka.
In addition to her individual medals, Grunhard helped the Stags take team trophies in the 400-yard freestyle relay and the 200-yard medley relay. Cassie Grunhard, Cailey’s younger sister, also had standout performances in the 100-yard and 200-yard freestyle, placing second in both events.
The Stags finished the meet with 289 points, easily outpacing second place St. Thomas Aquinas, which had 234, and Blue Valley Southwest, which had to settle for third place this year at 210 points.
Miege’s northeast Johnson County neighbors from Shawnee Mission East, however, came up just short in their bid for another consecutive state 6A title. Despite senior Crissie Blomquist’s first place finish in the 500-yard freestyle and the team’s first place 200-yard medley relay performance, the Lancers found themselves unable to keep up with Wichita East, which took the state title with 296 points. SM East finished the meet with 282.
