By Lauren Holdmeyer. Friday, January 21, 2022
Lee’s Summit High School Girls’ Swim and Dive team dominated four local teams alongside Olivia Stikeleather and Cali Williams on Tuesday’s Senior Night at the LSR-7 Aquatic Center.
Those four teams were Smith-Cotton High School, Sacred Heart High School, Ray-Pec High School, and Lee’s Summit North. The Lady Tigers left all four teams in the dark as they defeated each by at least 71 points: beating Smith-Cotton 193-79, Sacred Heart 201-23, Ray-Pec 183-112, and Lee’s Summit North 178-97.
The key to the Tigers’ success so far this season, which was further proven on Tuesday night, is consistent, hard work. The girls have had several swimmers and divers set new personal records at every meet since the season started and have state consideration performances in almost every event. Practicing 5-6 days a week every week, sometimes at 5:00 am, is what makes this team so successful.
Senior Olivia Stikeleather put on a show at this particular meet. She and her teammates placed first in the 200 Yard Medley Relay and the 400 Yard Medley Relay. Additionally, she placed second in both the 50 Yard Freestyle and 100 Yard Freestyle. This is no surprise to Olivia’s audience or competitors as she has been a threat to all opponents since her first year with Lee’s Summit.
Despite Tuesday being Senior Night at the LSR-7 Aquatic Center, all eyes were on the junior Cali Williams. Cali claimed first place in the 1 Meter Diving event, out-scoring her next closest competitor by 53 points. Overall, there were 129.55 points between Cali and the diver from Ray-Pec who took 10th place in the event.
The team is hopeful that Stikeleather and Williams will help lead them to their first Missouri state championship in history.
