WICHITA, Kan.—
Three seniors, three goals and three passions for swimming. After competing at the state swimming championships every year at Wichita Trinity, seniors Ben Johnson, Cody Buettgenbach and Jon Vigilius will all race in their final meet.“I think it’s really awesome that all the seniors were able to make it to state,” said Vigilius. “It’s always fun to be able to go to state with your friends and classmates you know.”
Among the senior sensations, Johnson stands out. Johnson worked hard to qualify in every single event that he could for the state meet.
“Ben is a great guy,” said Coach Bruce VanBebber. “I sense that when Ben is committed to something, he jumps into it wholeheartedly in whatever he does in life.”
VanBebber believes that his seniors can take on any challenges, especially Johnson.
“He’s willing to take a challenge,” said VanBebber. “At the beginning of the year when I was the one who actually proposed the idea of trying to qualify for state in ever event, and it just occurred to me after three meets that he had already swam in and qualified in four events.”
The senior knights have set goals for themselves.
“This will be my best year for my 50 (yard freestyle) time,” said Buettgenbach. “I’ve gotten the best time before state than in any other individual (race). I’m hoping to place in state and medal.”
“My main motivation throughout the swimming season was state, just to make better times,” said Vigilius. “And also a big motivation would just be my teammates especially on the relays, because if you’re the slowest man on the relay then you’re holding everyone else back from getting a better time.”
Buettgenbach said it could be grind, but they will need to push through.
“(We have got to) keep pushing each other in practice and tell each other what we need to be working on and have enthusiasm for that last push,” said Buettgenbach.
Vigilius, as the other seniors, want to give everything they have in the pool.
“This is my main sport, swimming, and this is my passion,” said Vigilius. “So I want to leave everything I’ve got and know that after you touched the wall for the last time and you’re done with your last event that you left it all and you didn’t hold back.”
