The Great Bend Panthers turned in a strong performance at their home invitational Thursday, highlighted by an exciting state-qualifying swim from senior Eli Somers.

Somers punched his ticket to the state meet in the 200-yard freestyle, clocking a time of 1:57.31, an automatic state-qualifying mark. 

"Eli's performance was one of the top swims of the day for the Panthers and showcased his continued improvement this season," said Great Bend coach Kari Carper.

Somers also picked up a win for Great Bend in the 100-yard backstroke (1:05.04) adding valuable team points. In addition, he contributed to two relay efforts, swimming on the Panthers’ 200-yard freestyle relay and 400-yard freestyle relay teams.

Other notable Great Bend performances included:

Kale Mermis placed second in the 100-yard freestyle (1:00.95), and adding a strong split on both freestyle relays.

Mark Sperlein competing in multiple events, including the 200 IM (2:56.16) and 100 butterfly (1:19.61), while contributing to relay efforts.

Tyler Scheuerman and Eli Leech leading the Panthers in distance events, with Scheuerman posting a 7:30.67 in the 500 freestyle and Leech swimming at 8:05.49.

Great Bend finished third overall as a team. 

GREAT BEND INVITE

TEAM SCORES—1—Manhattan 620; 2—Garden City 467; 3—Great Bend 320

GREAT BEND RESULTS *season best

200 freestyle relay—4—Great Bend A, *1:50.86 (Somers, Sperlein, Kracman, Mermis); 7—Great Bend B, 2:27.63 (Kalivoda, Burroughs, Leech, Scheuerman)

400 freestyle relay—3—Great Bend A, 4:18.35 (Mermis, Kracman, Sperlein, Somers); 6—Great Bend B, 5:55.91 (Scheuerman, Burroughs, Kalivoda, Leech)

50 freestyle—7—Kalivoda, 32.02; 8—Scheuerman, *32.94; 9—Burroughs, 41.95

100 freestyle—

200 freestyle—5—Mermis, *2:16.11; 9—Kracman, *2:45.66

500 freestyle—5—Scheuerman, *7:30.67; 7—Leech, 8:05.49

100 backstroke—1—Somers, *1:05.04 (SQ)

100 breaststroke—5—Kalivoda, 1:38.64

100 butterfly—3—Mermis, 1:00.95; 8—Kracman, 1:12.26; 9—Burroughs, 1:41.11

200 IM—6—Sperlein, 2:56.16