Kansas Swimming Sweeps at Sunflower Showdown

LAWRENCE, Kan. – The Kansas Swimming crew dominated its competitors on the seventh-annual Sunflower Showdown on Friday, profitable all 10 occasions and securing 692 factors throughout the meet in Topeka. 

Finishing behind Kansas was Saint Mary’s, who earned 508 factors for second place, whereas Sterling College claimed third with 178, and Barton Community College took fourth with 113 factors. 

“It was a really, really good start and every meet builds on itself,” mentioned the Jayhawks head coach Clark Campbell. “It will be interesting to see how we progress. We’ve been training really well.” 

Kansas began off the showdown with a robust efficiency within the 200-yard medley relay, sweeping the highest 4 marks within the occasion. Finishing first with a time of 1:45.65 was the relay crew made up of senior Molly Robinson, junior Bradie Ward, sophomore Ella Hansen, and freshman Sarah Blake. 

With all KU swimmers putting within the prime six spots of the 200-yard freestyle, sophomore Gabi Dyer picked up her first win of the season with a time of 1.49.76, whereas freshman Ivy Solt positioned second in her first profession race with a time of 1.51.44. All Jayhawks additionally positioned within the prime 10 of 200-yard IM, led by sophomore Maya Lambert who posted a time of two:07.94 for the win. 

Freshman Sarah Blake scored her first particular person collegiate victory within the 50-yard freestyle with a time of 23.7 seconds. Senior Caroline Blake, Sarah’s sister, completed shut behind at 23.83 seconds. Sarah additionally went on to win the 100-yard freestyle. 

The Jayhawks took the highest six marks within the 500-yard freestyle, with Dyer taking residence her second win of the day with a time of 4:51.04. Solt positioned second and sophomore Tait Haag took third within the occasion. 

Captain and senior Lydia Lafferty locked in her first win of the 2025-26 season with a 53.83 time within the 100-yard butterfly, together with her fellow teammates taking over the remainder of prime seven spots within the race. Lafferty later claimed one other victory within the 100-yard backstroke with a time of 54.93. Junior Ryan Johnston scored a time of 1:02.80, putting her first within the 100-yard breaststroke, with teammates Molly Robinson and Aiden Howze coming in shut behind. 

Meet day concluded with a Jayhawk victory within the 200-yard freestyle relay, with all of KU’s groups ending within the prime 5 spots. 

“The freshman have brought a lot of energy and train really well every day,” mentioned Coach Campbell. “I’m really happy with Lydia Lafferty and Gabi Dyer. They had really good seasons last year, so they started off with a lot of momentum.” 

For official stats and outcomes from the meet, click on right here. 

Up Next 

The Jayhawks return residence to Robinson Natatorium for the Crimson vs. Blue meet, with the competitors starting at 4 p.m. CT on Friday, October tenth.