Powell High School boys swimming coach Stephanie Warren has been honest with her swimmers this season.

“Lander is going to take first, we know that, and we’ve talked to the guys about it,” Warren said. “But there’s still a lot of good we can do at the state meet, and taking second is important to us.”

While it sounds like a defeatist attitude heading into Friday and Saturday’s Class 3A State Swimming Meet at the Campbell County Aquatic Center in Gillette, it may actually be the opposite. Lander Valley High School has won enough consecutive state titles to count on both hands and feet. And the Tigers have continued to build their program from the ground up, leaving other 3A challengers scrambling to catch up.

For the last two seasons PHS has gotten the closest, finishing second to the Tigers. Warren is confident her swimmers can give Lander another run for their money when competition begins at 10 a.m. Friday.

“The kids are confident, they’re feeling good and they look ready,” Warren said Tuesday. “We’ve been tapering their workouts in practice, and what’s really important is that they have so much more energy.”

PHS has had an extended break from competition after placing second (behind Lander) at the 3A West Conference Meet in Lander on Feb. 13. Now, all but three Panthers will battle for medals in the state pool.

“They’re rested, and what’s really good to know is that even in our last meet ... the conference meet ... guys were cutting time despite being tired,” Warren added. “I’m excited to see what they can do now that they’re rested.”

Looking to make a splash in his final prep season will be Ben Wetzel. The senior captured the 500 freestyle championship in record fashion a year ago, and will be looking to repeat as champion while improving on his runner-up status in the 200 freestyle. Also looking to make a leap will be senior Billy Baker, who finished third in the 10 backstroke last winter.

PHS’ 200 freestyle relay team upset Lander at conference, and Baker, Wetzel, and juniors Seth Fuller and Josh Riedhammer could be in line to bring home some extra hardware for the Panthers.

But Warren is hoping her team can keep a focused attitude, worrying less about knocking off the big dogs and more about just having strong performances.

“The most important thing is that the kids swim well Friday night knowing they need that to swim Saturday,” she said. “All the other stuff will take care of itself. All we can control is what we do in our lanes.”