Blue Valley West senior honored for determination in swimming after cancer diagnosis

LENEXA, Kan. (KCTV) — On Saturday, a Blue Valley West senior was honored with the 2024 KSHSAA Spirit of Sport Award for his perseverance and commitment to his swim team after being diagnosed with Hodgkin Lymphoma at the start of the school year.

Jack Punswick is a Blue Valley West senior on the varsity boy’s swim team.

During his sophomore year, he was cut from the baseball team and decided to try out swimming.

“That was probably one of the biggest blessings in disguise probably ever,” said Blue Valley West senior, Jack Punswick. He added, “After that– my junior year– I was a state champion in the 100-yard breaststroke and now I’m here.”

That was February 2024, when he took home the 6A State Breaststroke Championship.

Now, in his senior year, he was set for another state championship but in September 2024, he was diagnosed with Hodgkin Lymphoma.

“It was pretty crazy. I went to the University of Nebraska Omaha for my first Division I college recruitment for swimming and then the day after I was hospitalized after I went to my pediatrician for the growing lumps on my neck,” said Punswick.

Despite his diagnosis, he was determined to stay a part of the Jaguar swim team.

“I had eight rounds of chemotherapy every other week. It was every other Thursday and I was in bed ‘till around Sunday night, and Sunday night I got out of bed and Monday I was back at practice,” said Punswick. He added, “I want to be an inspiration for others. I know no matter what happens in this pool later today, I know what I’ve done is enough. I mean to go through cancer and to still be top two in the 100-yard brush stroke today, I’m feeling pretty accomplished.”

That determination was noticed by his school and they nominated him for the 2024 KSHSAA Spirit of Sport Award.

“My athletic director came to the pool and I was really scared cause my entire family was there and he was there and I was like ‘Oh my goodness what is happening?’ And he was like, ‘You’ve been nominated and won the KSHSAA Spirit of Sport Award,’ and I was like, ‘This is amazing, what is it?’” said Punswick.

He was presented the award at Saturday’s 2025 Boys State Championships in Lenexa at the Shawnee Mission School District Aquatic Center. His family, friends and team were all there to cheer him on.

“It is amazing, I mean one kid in the entire state of Kansas and I wouldn’t be here without the that I’ve had from my parents, my amazing girlfriend, the team at Blue Valley West, my coaches who have been here every single day. I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t them,” said Punswick.

After graduation, he plans to take a gap year to regain his health and then restart his college swim search.

He wants to go to college for a pre-physical therapy track and help others the way he’s been helped. He said his doctors, nurses, and physical therapists have always put a smile on his face during his fight to beat cancer.

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