Abby Stidham-Ebberts (KCB)

Went from having just one Region VIII Sectional cut to qualifying for USA Swimming Summer Jr Nationals.

Broke LSC Records in the 50 Breaststroke

Made A Final at the Spring Sectional Meet in 50 Breast (finished 3rd)

Qualified for two Finals at Futures in Madison, WI (100 Breast & 50 Breast).

Abby has also been a leader in and out of the pool with the National group, helping to bring the group together as a training group and as a support system for everyone.

Amber Stringer (UN)

Amber’s dedication towards swimming makes me want to be a better swimmer. Inside and outside of the pool she works harder than anyone I know and she is an amazing person to anyone. Amber shows so much passion for swimming and everything it stands for. Amber constantly demonstrates kindness and commitment to swimming in and out of the pool. She is humble and sees the best in the swimmers around her. Whether it’s giving a hug, “good luck”, or “I believe in you, you are amazing”, she is always lifting up her teammates and people around her. Amber travels to Zones and Sectionals representing Missouri Valley and the Blazers in the best way possible. She has the integrity to do always what is right when no one else is watching and as her teammate, has motivated me more than I could ever have imagined. I’m never sad around Amber as she radiates sunshine wherever she goes. An amazing swimmer and an even better person. Everyone could use an Amber in their life. Just a perfect representation of what Missouri Valley swimming is all about!

 Lucy Velte (EKC)

She has had a breakout year by being ranked at the top of the country in multiple events and qualifying for meets such as TYR Pro series and Summer Junior Nationals

 Karsyn Ward (EKC)

always supportive after races and uplifting

 Melinda Zhang (UN)

For as long as I have known Melinda she has been not only an amazing swimmer but one of the best teammates I have ever had! She shows sportsmanship and enthusiasm in and out of the pool. Melinda was a great member of our team and is always kind to coaches, teammates, and fellow competitors. There is no better person to win this award than Melinda Zhang. She works hard and loves this sport more than anyone I know. She is such an amazing teammate and makes everyone feel welcome. Sectional cut in 200 Breast

Banks Anderson (AAAA)

Jan Karlisle Beltran (KCB)

He demonstrated values in and out of pool. He is very kind and humble. He is willing to help anyone. He is very positive and has an uplifting personality.

Deacon Gutshall (TST)

He's kind and helped coach my summer swim team all while really successfully competing at Junior Nationals level and made Olympic Trials. I look up to him because he's so positive.

Zach Mendez (CNS)

Dropped 8 seconds in 500 within 3 months 4:28>4:20 and won sectionals in 200 free. He dropped an insane amount of time this year and became a top 100 recruit in his class. He is very kind outside of the pool and is a great friend. He made nationals summer jr bats and has improved a lot this season he is also someone younger swimmers can look up to and sets a good example on the pool deck and in the pool.

Colborn Trout (WKSC)

At just 14, Colborn Trout trains entirely on his own six days per week. He still achieved Speedo Sectionals cuts in the 800m (9:01.95) and 1500m (17:13.39). His grit, determination, and relentless competitiveness has helped him excel without traditional year-round coaching making him a standout in MoVal. Self motivation. Hard worker. Determined. Goal orientation

Kayleen Lee (KCB)

400 Free at Central Zone 14 and Under Championship Meet - 5:46.81 (12th)

This swim should be recognized because it last time she swam it at champs a week ago, she added 4 seconds and so she was really sad, but now even though she was scared of the event, she dropped 2 seconds from her best time.

Eveleigh McAndrew (WSC)

200 butterfly at Short Course Age Group Champs (17th)

because Evie is a 12 year old who has swam a 200fly! The 200fly is already a hard event but she is great at it for a 12 year old! and She almost goes sub 3 minute on it!

Olivia McDaniel (TST)

11-12 200 free, MVS AG LCM Champs, 8/3/25, 2:23.92 (1st)

I think this swim should be recognized because she dropped quite a few seconds and she got 1st place by 10 seconds! She worked really hard to improve her time

Averi Thornhill (NWSC)

50 breast, Age Group Long Course Champs - 41:58 (7th)

This is a very fast time especially for a 11/12 girl, She had an excellent swim and best timed!
This race should not be recognized just because it was a fast swim, but a very precious memory.

Grant Hartman (KCB)

Declan Joswara (KCB)

100 breast, MVS AG LCM Champs - 1:21.81 (1st)

This swim should be recognized because Declan worked his butt off all year to be able to win an event at champs as that was his goal for the season. He not only won but he also qualified for zones in it!

Julian Locke (NLU)

1500 Free, Beach Bash - 21:29.58 (1st)

first 1500 and absolutely nailed the splits for swimming it the first time.

Ralen Ryan (WSC)

1500 at the 2025 NWAA Memorial Classic - 21:39.09 (4th)

There are many reasons why this was a great swim!
Number one- he’s just an 11 year old and he went 
Number two- this was the first time he has ever swam a mile, long course or short

Anna Bream (AAAA)

200 Breast, March 2025 Sectionals - 2:13.00 (1st)

Anna won this race with a Summer National Cut and dropped 5.5 seconds from her entry time.

Landry Pendleton (MSA)

200 Breast, MVS LC AG Champs - 2:46.95 (1st)

At only 13 years old, Landry dropped almost 6 seconds, qualified for sectionals, and won the 200 breast (1/3 of her breaststroke event sweep!!)

Abby Stidham-Ebberts (KCB)

Girls 50 Breast, USA Swimming JR Nationals -33.52 

Broke the LSC Record in the 50 Breast

Lucy Velte (EKC)

50 Butterfly Speedo Sectionals - 23.98,

this time translated to a 1.00 power index event on swimcloud and won her the event at sectionals

Karsyn Ward (UN)

200 Backstroke, CSC Summer Invitational - 2:18.23

She got her Summer Juniors cut

Ryan Coughenour (CSC)

100 Breast, CSC Summer invite - 1:02.93

Achieved a personal best in the 100 breast, won the event, and broke the 1:03 barrier.

Deacon Gutshall (TST)

1500 Free, Junior Nationals - 15:35.86

Olympic trials cut and dropped a ton of time

Zach Mendez (CNS)

200 Free, Spring Sectionals - 1:35.15

This swim put him at 17th in the country this year for the 17-18 age group in this event

Mateo Sherwood (AAAA)

400 Free, LCM Zone Championships - 4:23.60

Top 8 finish.

Mia Jacobs (COOL)

Landry Pendleton (MSA)

Abby Stidham-Ebberts (KCB)

Melinda Zhang (UN)

Banks Anderson (AAAA)

Banks went from having one Sectional cut at the end of 2024 to scoring at the 2025 Futures meet in 1-years time. This is an impressive rate of improvement, showcasing his dedication and hard work.

LCM
1500 Free
2024 - 18:50.83 / 2025 - 16:14.89
800 Free
2024 - 8:55.93 / 2025 - 8:28.77
400 Free
2024 - 4:23.52 / 2025 - 4:08.58
400 IM
2024 - 4:56.74 / 2025 - 4:41.52
200 Fly
2024 - 2:17.14 / 2025 2:09.73

SCY
1650 Free
2024 - 17:36.39 / 2025 - 15:49.01
1000 Free
2024 - 10:25.56 / 2025 - 9:28.58
500 Free
2024 - 4:55.33 / 2025 - 4:37.37
400 IM
2024 - 4:23.02 / 2025 - 4:08.18
200 Fly
2024 - 2:08.56 / 2025 - 1:55.85

2024 represents the end of the previous season.

Corbin Bradwell (COOL)

Embry Collins (CSC)

Zach Mendez (CNS)

Deacon Gutshall (TST)

Mateo Sherwood (AAAA)

800 Freestyle, Zones 14 & Under Championship - 9:06.92.

He went a best time again after cutting 19 seconds a week before, placing 5th at Zones.

Whitaker Steward (TST)

1000 freestyle, Spring Sectionals - 8:52.64

This was a very big time from his previous time and earned him a second place finish.

Colborn Trout (WKSC)

1500 Free, Zones 14 & Under Champs - 17:13.39.

Dropped 25.73 to take 2nd at Zones and secure a Speedo Sectionals cut