photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Free State junior Anderson Bateman swims during the 100-yard freestyle in the 6A boys state swim and dive meet on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026, in Lenexa.

Anderson Bateman looked up to the video board following his finals swim in the 100-yard freestyle and celebrated with a quick arm pump.

Next to his name read 47.29 seconds, which was 0.92 seconds faster than Bateman’s seed time. But what Bateman was really looking at was the number three next to his name. That race earned him 16 of his 29 total points at the state meet, which led to him earning all-state honors.

“I wanted to move up at least one place, and I was able to do that … I was really hoping not for a five,” Bateman said. “Just lots of emotions came through right into the finish of that race.”

A friend of Bateman’s who was at the meet taking photos told Bateman that he looked like he was controlling his celebrations in the pool. It wasn’t intentional, but it shows the calm demeanor Bateman always has, even when he accomplishes a year-long goal.

“Last year I did not have the same calmness that I might have now,” Bateman said. “Last year, I had huge goals set for myself, and if I didn’t get that goal at the first meet, I would get really angry.”

That focus has helped Bateman become the swimmer he is, and as he looks toward his final year at Free State next year, it’ll be what helps him accomplish his final goals.

“His ability to zone in and focus on just what he wants to do … he really has thought a lot about race strategy this year, and it’s helped a lot,” Free State coach Janna Skinner said. “He worked in the offseason about his stroke. He really thought about how long he can be in the water, and that helped this year.”

Bateman is also a runner on the Free State cross-country team, which is a sport he picked up in eighth grade. Swimming helps him perform better as a runner, but running has helped him achieve that calm demeanor during swim. It’s a trait that not everyone has, and it’s one that makes a difference.

“I wish that could’ve been me, but that’s just not my personality,” senior Owen Carnagey said. “He’s achieved great things with that mentality, not just in swimming but also in his running.

“He’s going to do great things. Ever since he was a freshman, he’s always getting better, he’s always working hard. He’s going to do amazing.”

This season, Bateman focused more on race strategy, which helped him turn his practice reps into results in the pool. Previously, he’d think about the exact time he wanted in a race and just swim. Now, he’s thinking more about what he can improve upon and drill during practices.

“At Sunflower League, I missed a lot of my turns and I would flip early,” Bateman said. “My times would reflect that. So planning out my events and how I’m going to race them has benefitted me a lot.”

For the next few months, Bateman will swim in the mornings before running in the afternoons for track. Bateman’s junior season just ended, but he wants to make sure he doesn’t lose any progress he made for his senior year. Bateman’s dedication to improving doesn’t stop when the season ends.

“He definitely has some high goals for himself, but he can get them,” Skinner said. “He’ll keep putting in the work.”