The Pirates of Platte County boys swim team defeated the Pirates of Belton by a score of 504-308 in a dual held at Platte County Community Center South in Platte City on Sept. 23.
Platte County finished first in nine of the 10 swim competitions in the dual as Belton only took first in diving, which Platte County did not compete in, and the 500-yard freestyle relay.
Senior Jack Hokanson led the way with a pair of individual wins. He opened his meet with a commanding victory in the 200 freestyle (2 minutes, 3.01 seconds), finishing more than 25 seconds ahead of the field. He also added a win in the 100 breaststroke (1:10.42), while also contributing legs on Platte County’s 100 breaststroke and 200 freestyle relays.
Freshman Grisham Gutshall continued his breakout season, racing to victory in both the 50 freestyle (24.84) and 100 freestyle (55.04). His speed also helped Platte County’s success in the 200 medley and 200 freestyle relays.
In the 100 butterfly, sophomore Beau Jonkman pulled away for the win in 1:05.20, while senior Finn Smith added a win of his own in the 100 backstroke (1:15.99).
The Pirates’ top relay group of Hokanson, Gutshall, Jonkman and Nathan Guzman dominated the 200 freestyle relay in 1:42.46 and also claimed first in the 400 freestyle relay (4:17.69).
Other notable performances included Silas Maccumber, who grabbed third in the 200 freestyle (2:46.38) and competed in multiple relays, and Owen Rowles, who earned a third-place finish in the 100 freestyle (1:14.66). Sophomore Dillyn Jacobson placed fourth in the 200 freestyle (2:53.92) and added a third-place swim in the grueling 500 freestyle (7:48.06).
Though Belton took the diving event uncontested and won the 500 freestyle behind Brayden Hohenfeldt, Platte County’s depth across the swimming events proved decisive.
The Pirates will now look to carry momentum from their balanced showing into upcoming conference competition, where their mix of experienced upperclassmen and fast-improving underclassmen continues to fuel steady progress.
Platte County will prepare for a visit to Columbia for the COMO Invitational at the MU Aquatic Center on Oct. 4-5.