Marina
In a thrilling display of talent and teamwork, Andover High School clinched its second-ever Kansas High School Girls 5-1A State Swimming and Diving Championship on May 24, 2025.
Held at the Capitol Federal Natatorium in Topeka, Kansas, the Trojans amassed 304 points, surpassing Overland Park-Blue Valley Southwest by 27.5 points, marking their first state title since 2022.
Championship Highlights
Dominant Relay Performances
- 200 Medley Relay: The team of Mari Griffin (26.39), Kiersten Elliott (29.44), Sophia Mandanis (26.40), and Hollyn Griffin (23.86) set a new state record with a time of 1:46.09, breaking the previous mark of 1:47.16 set in 2017.
- 400 Freestyle Relay: The quartet of Mandanis (54.34), H. Griffin (53.62), Elliott (54.77), and M. Griffin (51.26) clocked 3:33.99, just 0.06 seconds shy of the state record, securing a decisive victory.
Standout Individual Achievements
- Mari Griffin: Set a new state record in the 100 Backstroke with a time of 54.88, surpassing the previous record of 55.15 set in 2016.
- Kiersten Elliott: Clinched the 100 Breaststroke title with a commanding time of 1:04.75.
- Sophia Mandanis: Secured second place in the 100 Butterfly (58.33) and third in the 100 Breaststroke (1:07.11).
Notable Performances from Other Schools
- Willow Weninger (Overland Park-Blue Valley Southwest): Defended her titles in the 200 Freestyle (1:51.51) and 500 Freestyle (5:04.97), achieving a personal best in the former.
- Aleca Howard (Wichita-Trinity Academy): Won the 200 Individual Medley with a time of 2:03.50 and placed second in the 100 Freestyle (51.92).
- Lauryn Vogt (Hillsboro High School): Set a new state record in the 50 Freestyle with 23.39 and won the 100 Freestyle in 50.28.
- Ashlyn Bolyard (Overland Park-Blue Valley Southwest): Captured the 100 Butterfly title in 55.54 and earned silver in the 100 Backstroke (56.04).
Top 10 Team Standings
| Rank | School | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Andover High School | 304 |
| 2 | Overland Park-Blue Valley Southwest | 276.5 |
| 3 | Lansing High School | 215 |
| 4 | Overland Park-St. Thomas Aquinas | 119 |
| 5 | Wichita-Kapaun Mt. Carmel | 118 |
| 6 | Andover Central | 115 |
| 7 | Maize South | 104 |
| 8 | Hays/Hillsboro | 90 |
| 9 | Leavenworth High School | 88 |
| 10 | Wichita-Trinity Academy | 85 |
Diving Excellence
Allisyn Weiss (Emporia High School) defended her diving title, scoring 453.75 points, showcasing consistency and skill in the event.
Andover High School’s remarkable performance at the 2025 Kansas 5-1A Girls State Swimming and Diving Championships underscores their dedication, depth, and dominance in the sport. With record-breaking swims and strategic teamwork, the Trojans have solidified their place at the pinnacle of high school swimming in Kansas.