By Carole King
Independence High School’s senior Megan Foster, senior MVP for the 2025 Lady Bulldogs Swim Team, pulled ahead to contribute 374 points this season, the most points contributed by any team member. In addition, Megan made All League First Team, finishing in the top five times in all four of her events. At the 2025 All League Meet, Megan medaled 2nd in the 200 Medley Relay, 3rd in 400 Free Relay, 4th in 100 Back and 5th in 200 IM.
Swim Coach Haley Marchant nominated Megan as Senior MVP not only because of her strength as a swimmer, but also due to the strength of her character.
“Megan’s success has not come as quickly for her as it does for some. She worked hard to earn the top spot in these events, specializing in 200 IM and Backstroke as well as her fast times in the Medley Relay and Free Relay,” Marchant said.
Megan swam with the Lady Bulldog Swim Team for three years and participated in the summer swim team in Independence as well. In addition, Megan played high school volleyball and was an active participant in numerous school activities. She was introduced to swimming by Coach Marchant and says Marchant is her inspiration.
“I am inspired by my coach Haley Marchant because she is really athletic and has stayed in shape forever,” Meagan says. “She wakes up every morning to run like 10 miles, then teaches PE at Eisenhower, then sometimes swims after the swim teams practice, and then she goes home and walks her dogs.”
Megan attributes her overall success to the support of her parents, Michelle and Andy Foster. “I want to say thank you to both of my parents. They supported me throughout my athletic journey, helping me when I played volleyball, signing me up for summer swim, and letting me go to open swim at the ash to work on my techniques,” Megan says. “I couldn’t have done it without them.”
Megan graduated in May 2025 from Independence High School and plans to attend Independence Community College (ICC) and Labette Community College (LCC), majoring in radiology.
VYPE SPORTS was delighted to speak with Megan in a recent interview.
VYPE SPORTS: What was your personal goal for swim team the year?
My primary goal this year was to cut time off my backstroke and get it below a 1:20, I was able to accomplish that goal. I am also determined to qualify for the state championship.
VYPE SPORTS: What is your favorite memory about your association with the Lady Bulldogs Swim Team? My favorite memories include doing yoga with the team and getting to know all the girls personally. I had to get out of my comfort zone to grow with the team, but after I did, I made so many new friends and I was able to help some of the freshmen.
VYPE SPORTS: What teammate has left the biggest impression on you and why?
The teammate who has the biggest impression on me this year is freshman Morgan McLenon. She is very coachable and has grown a lot this year. I am so excited to see what she does in the future, even though I will not be on the team with her.
VYPE SPORTS: What is your favorite part of being a part of the swim team?
I love getting to know the girls on the team and growing my leadership skills. I enjoy it when everyone cheers each other on at meets because it gets hard after swimming races and having to keep going sometimes.
VYPE SPORTS: What clubs, community groups, or campus groups are you involved with and why?
I was involved as a boys swim manager because I love the team environment, in FCA because it helps me grow my faith, in marching band and wind ensemble because I have done it through middle school, and enjoyed getting to play my instrument, in youth group, and in work-based learning at Eisenhower.
VYPE SPORTS: What accolades (in any sport or non-athletic activity) are you most proud of?
My proudest accomplishments have been being awarded the 2023 Soroptimist Award, being selected as the 2024 section leader of the year in marching band and making the All-League 1st team in swim this year and 2nd team in swim last year.
VYPE SPORTS: What has this sport taught you that you use in your daily life?
I have learned that even when things get tough, you just have to push through and that those tough things will make you stronger. I also learned that you have to dig deep. Most of the time after swim meets I am downright exhausted, but I have to go to school, do all my work, then go to practice before I can rest.
VYPE SPORTS: What is the best advice that anyone has given you?
The advice that has impacted me the most was when Coach Marchant came up to me while I was at Eisenhower after school and asked me to “give her a week” of going to swim practice. I had never swum before, but Haley was determined to have me on the team. I gave her a week, and I am still in sport and absolutely love it.
Congratulations Megan for being Senior Team MVP for the Lady Bulldog Swim Team in 2025! VYPE Sports wishes you all the best in your future studies at ICC and LCC!
