Blue Valley North is typically acknowledged for its high percentile in test scores and other academic categories. However, in recent years, the Mustangs swim team has made a name for itself, winning three state titles in a row. This year, the team is led by its seniors and other upperclassmen. One veteran leader on the team is senior Khasar Chinbat.

“I was lucky enough to make varsity [all four] year[s],” Chinbat said. “I was pretty competitive coming in because of club swimming and preparation pre-season.”

Junior Ajay Nandula is another varsity swim veteran at North.

“This is my third year,” Nendula said. “I’ve been on varsity each time.”

Despite the team’s recent success, the Mustangs have not always been a swimming powerhouse in 6A. Chinbat recalls the excitement of his first state championship in his freshman year.

“My favorite memory has got to be my freshman year state win with the team,” Chinbat said. “It was the most hype out of all of them because no one expected us to win.”

The expectations for the team were not high for the 2023 swim season, as North was predicted to finish in third in the state. 

“We didn’t even get invited to the House of Representatives because they were so sure Shawnee Mission East was going to win,” Chinbat said. “After winning the last relay, we all jumped in the water. We were all hype on the deck. That was my favorite experience as a team.”

Nandula, on the other hand, had a more recent memory that he claims to be his favorite. He remembers the 2025 state win and how much fun it was to be a part of. He also remembers a sense of pride because all the hard work the team put in that season had finally paid off.

To win four consecutive state titles, a team has to have a number of strengths that propel it to success. In the past for BVN’s swim team, one of these strengths has been found in the consistency and effort of each of its swimmers in recent years. 

“Over the past three years, [our strength] has definitely been the depth of our team,” Chinbat said. “While we don’t have top finishers, we have a lot of people that place in top eight that put in a lot of time and effort during their season to get in shape.”

In Nandula’s eyes, the team’s strength has been a combination of good coaching and community within the team. 

“I think our greatest strength is not only the coaching, but how well we know each other and how fun the environment of the team is,” Nandula said. “Coach Rob is a great coach. He always pushes us, and he’s a really great coach to have, and from team dinners and punishments, we are a very tight team, and it’s just a great environment.”

A fourth consecutive state win would mean a lot for the BVN swim team as it has never been done before in school history.

“It would be a big win,” Chinbat said. “It would cement us in KSHSAA history and in Blue Valley North history, and it would be our first BVN four-peat in swim, and if we can continue the streak, that would be awesome.”

Nandula has a similar view on the implications of a four-peat.

“It would be a huge achievement. Only a couple of other teams have done it, but a four-peat would solidify us as one of the greatest teams in Kansas,” Nandula said.

Despite the absence of a handful of key seniors who helped propel the team to its state win last year, hopes still remain high for North Swim and Dive to make Blue Valley North History.

“We could definitely make history if we are able to continue the team spirit that we have now,” Chinbat said.