Limited returning experience and new leadership has the Powell High School girls’ swim and dive team redefining success in the 2026 season.

“We’ve been having a lot of fun,” new coach Bailey Jackson said. “We’re working on establishing new routines and norms, but the girls have a great attitude and have been working hard.”

While there has been a ton of success within the Panther program the past decade, the Panthers bring back limited state experience from a team that finished sixth a year ago.

The highest returning individual scorer for the Panthers this year is sophomore Lynea Christensen, who took eighth in the 50 free and 10th in diving and was part of the 200 medley relay and 400 free relay.

Another state returner is junior Tempie Day who took 20th in the 500 free, while senior Lilly Pittman, junior Baylee Kraft and sophomore April Weckler return from the 200 free relay team.

Mixing in the limited returning experience with a number of new competitors on the team, Jackson said they are trying to find out a workout plan for every individual to ensure strong training.

“It’s been an interesting challenge. With just me on the swimming side, I sometimes struggle to split my time between the new girls and the veterans,” Jackson said. “It’s mostly about modifying the existing workout plan to meet the needs of every kid.”

While there is a small number of kids who have advanced and competed in the state meet for the Panthers, Jackson said those returners have done a great job of leading the new swimmers and showing strong leadership early in the season.

“Honestly, I’m expecting leadership from every athlete, specifically leading by example. The past qualifiers and more experienced girls are great when it comes to showing new girls how things are done, what our traditions are, answering questions, stuff like that,” Jackson said. “But when it comes to the everyday grind, we need all the girls to lead by example. It’s easier to work hard when everyone else around you is working hard too.”

On the diving board the lone returner is Christensen, but there has been a surge of competitors overall for the team, as four will now be diving this season.

“It’s awesome. It’s so great to see Heather [Christensen] being able to coach a solid group of girls,” Jackson said. “She’s so good at what she does. She has won assistant coach of the year several times, and I’m happy more kids get to benefit from her expertise.”

In the past, the Panthers have had a number of large goals which typically include winning the conference meet as well as placing on the podium at the state meet.

With such limited returning experience, the Panthers are hoping to change their goals for this season, finding success in different areas even outside of the swimming pool.

“This year, we’ve redefined what success will look like for us. In the past, success looked like top three at state, first at conference. Neither of those are in the cards for us,” Jackson said. “So this year, we’ve defined success as everyone finishing the season, everyone swimming every event at least once, and a set number of team activities and volunteer days. Fast swimming is great and a lot of fun, but we’re doing more than developing fast swimmers. We’re developing outstanding members of society, and I think our new definition of success reflects that.”

Powell’s season begins on the road in Lander at 11 a.m. on Saturday, taking part in the Bruce Gresly Pentathlon.

“There are a couple things I’m hoping to get from Lander. First, at least two state qualifiers, hopefully in multiple events,” Jackson said. “Second, I’m looking to get a nice baseline of times so we can start to get more specific with our goals and our training strategies. It’ll also be the first meet for several girls, so it’ll be good for them to have that experience.”