Panthers dive to personal bests

The Powell High School boys swim team didn’t qualify anyone for state over the weekend, but the Panthers’ success is far from dried up.

While no new Class 3A times were met, the amount of Class 4A times more than doubled, setting the Panthers up well for postseason meets.

“The 4A qualifying standards are always higher for swimming and diving, so anytime they get that initial 3A score, and then get the 4A score, it’s (usually) going to get them in at least the top 12 at state,” PHS head coach Stephanie Warren said. “It kind of helps us to know which events kids will be able to swim.”

Five swimmers — seniors Seth Fuller and Josh Riedhammer, junior Nate Magill, and sophomores Kacey Creed and Hudson Wilkerson — each eclipsed at least on 4A time during meets in Worland and Powell over the weekend.

“It’s definitely a good way to get an idea where we’re going to be swimming at state,” Warren added. “It’s always something we try to encourage them to do, plus it gives them something to work towards.”

The Panthers scored 230 points and finished second to Lander (299) at the Worland Invite on Saturday, and beat Cody 133-31 during a home dual on Friday.

Powell’s lack of new qualifiers and new events from qualified swimmers is a product of this point of the season, Warren said. Experienced swimmers have cut close to as much as they can without the benefit of a year-end taper, while new swimmers will still see improvements, but often not drastic enough to qualify.

“It really depends on each individual,” Warren said. “We are starting to see time being added in some events, which, is good at this point. We want to see that time added right now. We still have about five weeks left, and a good portion of that time will be training them pretty hard still, so they’ll be swimming tired and adding a little bit of time.

“We will be seeing them adding some time here and there. Hopefully, that will indicate a good taper later on.”

Plenty of cuts were still made during the two meets. Powell set 29 personal bests against the Broncs and 25 the next day at the nine-team invite.

Both of Powell’s divers, Wilkerson and Magill, set new personal bests.

Wilkerson scored 206.55 points to win the 1-meter diving competition in Worland. 

Magill scored 196.70 to take first against Cody.

“Both of them were throwing a couple newer dives, or dives they haven’t known very long,” Warren said. “So they added a couple dives to their list and this week we’re going to work on perfecting those, and adding a couple more. They’re right on track as well for having a good end of the year.”

Fuller improved his already historical time in the 100-yard back in Worland. His time of 57.67 was 0.03 faster than his time at the Gene Dozah Invite on Jan. 9. Fuller remains in fifth place on the PHS record board, but is inching his way up without tapering.

Alan Merritt is still in search of his first qualification, but the freshman cut 10.33 seconds off of his time in the 200-yard free on Friday. His personal best time of 2:31.12 was good for fourth place, especially for a swimmer used to distance events.

Warren said it can be tough for endurance swimmers (Merritt also runs cross country) to find success with sprints.

“In a longer race they can build, so for some of them it’s easier to qualify in the longer events than in the shorter events, and vice versa (for sprinters),” Warren said.

Creed won the 100-yard breast stroke in Worland with a time of 1:06.13, which was 0.96 seconds faster than his previous best.

“That brings him within a second of getting on the record board, as well,” Warren said. “He’s a very goal-oriented kid so he’s going to do the best he can to get there.”

Weston Moore cut more than 10 seconds off of his time in the 100-yard free when he swam a 1:15.36 in Worland. It was only the second time the freshman swam the event this season.

Wes Patrick was disqualified in the 100-yard back at home, though his unofficial time of 1:38.89 — down from 1:54.91 — was a marked improvement.

Warren said the Panthers, who have 13 state qualifiers, may add another qualifier or two before the regular season is through.

“There’s probably like five or so that we can still see qualify,” she said. “Hopefully they’ll be able to do it. We’ll be in some fast pools (Lander and Gillette).”

Powell travels to Lander for an invite on Saturday. Pinedale is also hosting an invite on Saturday so Class 3A West teams will be split.