Ben Wetzel highlights 3A state meet with two titles, prestigious award

Just because Lander Valley High School has a stranglehold on Class 3A swimming doesn’t mean there isn’t plenty of success to go around.

At the Class 3A State Swimming and Diving Championships on Friday and Saturday at the Campbell County Aquatic Center in Gillette, Powell High School achieved more of that success than any other team chasing the Tigers.

Lander totaled 377 points to earn their 19th straight team championship, and PHS claimed their second consecutive runner-up finish with 185 points. Kemmerer placed third with 152.

Leading the way for the Panthers was senior Ben Wetzel, who repeated as the 500 freestyle champion after capturing his first 200 free title. Wetzel was also named 3A Swimmer of the Year, an award voted on by 3A coaches.

“Winning 3A Swimmer of the Year, it was a notion in the back of my mind, but that’s not something you can just expect to win,” Wetzel said. “It was truly an honor.”

“All swimmers are hard workers and every single one of them on our team worked hard this season,” PHS head coach Stephanie Warren said. “But I think by far, Ben was very deserving of this award.

“We always want everybody to finish strong their senior year, and Ben is a perfect example of someone whose hard work really paid off.”

Wetzel, a team captain, added more hardware to his trophy cabinet after swimming a 1:50.03 in the 200 free finals, almost two seconds better than Lander’s Chance Nelson (1:51.98). Wetzel later took first in the 500 with a time of 5:06.34. He finished second in the 200 a season ago, and said winning it after coming up short made it a little more special.

“The 200 was a big one for me because I had already gone out and staked my claim to the 500 last season,” he said about which title meant more to him. “So it was nice proving that just because I didn’t get the 200 free last year didn’t mean I couldn’t do it this year.”

Wetzel also helped three Panthers achieve history in relay action. Teaming with seniors Billy Baker and Alex Bjornestad, and junior Seth Fuller in the 200 free relay, the quartet just missed beating Lander, but made its mark in another way.

Coming in with a time of 1:36.33, the four swimmers shattered that time with a mark of 1:32.07 in the preliminary round Friday (1:32.25 on Saturday for second place). The Friday time also broke PHS’ previous record in the relay of 1.33.74, set in 1999.

“It was awesome, and I just want to thank (PHS assistant coach) Jerry (Rodriguez) for putting me on that relay; I was really thankful for that,” Bjornestad said. “And I’m proud of each and every one of us that swam our hardest to break the record.”

Baker has repeatedly stated his appreciation of relays. 

“That 200 free was one of my favorite moments ever in swimming. When we got out of the pool we were all hugging and we were all jacked,” Baker said. “I love relays. Not only seeing yourself succeed but your teammates too, it’s magical. It’s like watching a well-oiled machine.”

The record-breaking performance was particularly special for Baker after the athlete suffered a major setback on Friday. Coming into the 100 backstroke prelims as the top seed, Baker committed a false start that disqualified him from the race and ended his hopes of winning a state title in his best event.

He later did his best to make up for it in the relay, and also took second place in the 50 freestyle with a time of 22.52. Asked about the up-and-down nature of his weekend, Baker responded with laughter in his voice.

“Man, where do I begin?” he asked. “[The false start] was pretty awful. It was pretty emotional. I knew it happened right from the get-go. I knew right from the start what I had done. Sometimes you just mess up, and it was one of those times unfortunately.”

Baker said everyone from his coaches and teammates to opposing swimmers comforted him after the miscue, but made special mention of one source of support.

“When I DQed, Ben comforted me the most; he jumped right there in the pool with me,” Baker said.

Wetzel said he was glad Baker was able to recover and give his all in the 50 free.

“It was a great race to watch,” Wetzel said. “It was rough to see him go through that false start in his 100 back on day one. But to see him just rally and put it all into his 50 and have a great race, that was an awesome way to see him end his career.”

Fuller added two other medals to his collection, placing third in the 100 free (50.25) and 100 backstroke (58.37). With PHS’ three seniors leaving, Fuller is hopeful the strong performances can help him assert himself as a senior team leader next season. His determination following the third-place finishes may suggest he’s already on his way.

“I went into the races seeded second actually, but I just got out-touched in finals. But I know next year I can come back and improve on my times and hopefully take first,” Fuller said. “They’re not going to get me next year.”

Sophomore Nate MaGill, who gave up swimming last season to wrestle, returned to the pool this year and finished sixth as PHS’ lone diver with 280.60 points.

Wetzel, Baker, Bjornestad and Fuller received All-State honors for their performances. Josh Reidhammer also earned All-State recognition after helping Baker, Bjornestad and Fuller place third in the 200 medley relay.

MaGill, Owen Dent, Kacey Creed, Joe Kuntz, Reidhammer, Braden Schiller, and Tyson Wages and Gavin Asay all posted personal bests in various events during the two-day competition. The improvements were a product of what Warren called “impressive senior leadership” from Wetzel, Baker and Bjornestad, three swimmers she said will be missed.

“It’s always a bittersweet moment, and it’s hard because you never really want to say goodbye to them,” Warren said. “I can’t say enough about how well they led the entire group, and how well they were able to bring up the freshmen and help them along the way.

“These guys took the bull by the horns and really stepped up to the challenge and showed the younger kids what it means to swim together and compete together as a team.”

And while the future of PHS swimming could be bright with a deep pool of talented youngsters, Wetzel, Baker and Bjornestad were left reminiscing on their last meet as prep swimmers.

“The overall effects haven’t set in yet ... I guess I’m still in that shock phase,” Wetzel said on Sunday. “I’m excited for the future and sad all at the same time.”

“It hasn’t set in yet ... it hasn’t even set in that football is over,” Bjornestad joked.

“I’m still thinking I’m going to go to practice on Monday,” Baker added. “It’s weird that I’m finished after four years because you never really think it’s going to be over.”

But as one era ends, Warren is excited for the future, and believes the marks left by the three seniors could have positive effects for the program’s future.

“Those three seniors did a lot for the young swimmers, and they showed the juniors, kids Seth and Tyson and Josh, who will be seniors next season, how to lead,” she said. “That will mean so much for the program for years to come.”