For the first time since 2010, BV West claimed a state championship this Saturday in the 6A boys’ soccer tournament in Topeka. They defeated Olathe South in the championship game with a score of 4-1. Although the team finished with a record of 14-5-1, they were able to overcome the odds.

“Nobody really expected us to make it even past the first couple rounds,” junior center and outside midfielder Brendan Schwartz said.

Schwartz also had two assists in the championship game.

“The state ranked us as the lower seed in almost every game. It was after the Olathe Northwest game that we realized we had a shot. Some people thought they were going to win state but we beat them 3 to 0, we realized that if we played to the best of our abilities, no one could beat us.”

Despite shutting out Olathe Northwest and limiting Olathe South to one goal, winning out in the state tournament did not become a reality for the team until late in the season. The team lost five games this season, but they learned from their mistakes.

“We lost some pretty bad games but they gave us the motivation to work harder,” Schwartz said. “We also won against some tough teams which showed us what our potential was. By the end of the season we really started playing as a team and lived up to our full potential. Being a state champion is a goal of every team but it seemed pretty distant and unrealistic until the postseason.”

The team collectively overcame the odds, exemplifying and representing the grit that BV West values.

“Being a state champion just gives you a sense of pride,” Schwartz said. “What really makes it great is the connection you have with your teammates and knowing everyone contributed to being the best.”