Olathe Northwest Boys Swim Team Makes Waves in 2025 Season with Standout Performances and Bright Future
The 2025 winter swim season was one of impressive growth, personal achievements, and team unity for the Olathe Northwest Ravens. Under the leadership of Head Coach Christiane Branstrom, the Ravens carved out one of their strongest seasons in recent memory, fueled by strong senior leadership, breakout performances from younger athletes, and an internal drive to compete at the highest level. With multiple athletes placing at the Kansas State Swimming and Diving Championships and a group of promising swimmers set to return, the future looks bright for the Olathe Northwest swim program.
State Standouts Lead the Way
Four swimmers emerged as major contributors to the team’s overall success this season, each turning in top-tier performances at the 2025 State Championships.
Bryan Branstrom, a junior, proved himself as one of the state’s elite sprinters. Despite starting the season nursing a severe ankle sprain that limited his ability to kick during early practices, Bryan made a strong comeback. He finished 4th in the 50-yard freestyle and 7th in the 100-yard freestyle at state, demonstrating both his physical talent and his resilience. His determination set a high bar for the rest of the team.
Joining Bryan as a rising star was Eric Spencer, a freshman who turned heads by finishing 11th in the 100-yard backstroke at state. For a first-year swimmer to qualify and place at the state level is a rare and impressive feat, and it signals great things to come from Eric in the seasons ahead.
Braden Zimmerman, a junior, represented the team in diving and made his mark with a 5th place finish at state. His consistency and competitiveness on the board gave the team critical points in high-level meets and showcased the depth of talent across disciplines within the program.
Rounding out the group was Spencer Lein, a senior and long-time team leader. He capped his high school swimming career with a 10th place finish in the 100-yard butterfly, one of the most competitive events in the meet. More than his finish, Spencer’s value to the team extended beyond the pool as a vocal leader and mentor to younger athletes.
A Season of Progress and Personal Bests
Reflecting on the season, Coach Branstrom expressed pride in the team’s collective improvement and competitive edge.
“It was one of our better scoring years at state for both individuals and relays,” she said. “Our seniors had personal bests, and the team really pushed each other in practice competing for relay spots. That internal competition helped us perform better as a group.”
This mindset of accountability and effort was reflected throughout the season, with swimmers embracing every opportunity to get faster, sharpen their technique, and push one another during grueling practices. The impact was evident in the relays, where depth and competition for spots translated into stronger results in major meets.
Rising Stars and Notable Development
Beyond the headliners at state, several other swimmers made significant strides this season and emerged as key members of the team. One of the most notable was Ben Muller, who only started swimming a year ago. Despite being new to the sport, Ben committed himself to offseason training and made remarkable progress.
“Ben pushed himself in the offseason and really cut a lot of time,” said Coach Branstrom. “He became one of our most solid swimmers this year.”
Ben’s story is a testament to the team culture at Olathe Northwest—where commitment, effort, and resilience can transform a beginner into a top contributor in a short time.
Responding to Adversity
Every season presents its share of challenges, and for the Ravens, that came early when Bryan Branstrom was sidelined with an ankle injury. His inability to kick forced him to adapt and train in alternative ways, but his determination to overcome the setback became a rallying point for the team.
Rather than fold under the weight of injury or pressure, the Ravens responded with grit and unity. The coaching staff emphasized adaptability and mental toughness, which paid dividends in close meets and high-stakes situations.
Leadership From the Top
The senior class played a crucial role in maintaining focus and intensity throughout the season. Led by Spencer Lein, the seniors modeled accountability through their work ethic and leadership, helping younger swimmers understand the expectations and standards of the program.
“Our seniors were all strong leaders,” said Coach Branstrom. “They held the team accountable and set the tone every day in practice.”
Even those who weren’t necessarily topping podiums made lasting contributions through their consistency, positivity, and example.
A Future Worth Watching
Looking ahead, Coach Branstrom is enthusiastic about the team’s returning core. With state veterans like Bryan Branstrom, Braden Zimmerman, and Eric Spencer coming back, along with the continued development of swimmers like Ben Muller, the Ravens have a strong foundation to build upon.
“We have a young group that I think will continue to improve,” said Coach Branstrom. “I’m looking forward to watching Bryan, Ben, Eric, and Connor, along with others, push each other.”
This competitive spirit and focus on improvement are key reasons why the program continues to elevate its performance each year. The returning swimmers have already tasted state-level competition and are eager to push further in 2026.
Goals for the Offseason
As the team transitions into offseason mode, the focus will turn to skill refinement, conditioning, and relay strategy. Coach Branstrom and her staff will emphasize building strength, improving starts and turns, and developing the team’s younger swimmers into reliable varsity contributors.
Additionally, the offseason provides an opportunity for the team to bond, build chemistry, and prepare mentally for the challenges of the next competitive cycle.
Keeping Up With the Ravens
While Olathe Northwest doesn’t maintain a public stat tracker, interested fans, families, and community members can follow the program’s progress through local meet results and KSHSAA coverage during the championship season.
In all, the 2025 Olathe Northwest boys swim season was a resounding success. With strong senior leadership, impressive performances at the state meet, and a promising group of underclassmen ready to take the reins, the Ravens are positioned for continued growth and achievement.
As the team continues to train and improve during the offseason, the message is clear: the Ravens aren’t done yet—they’re just getting started.
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