Johnston repeats as state champ

Panthers finish sixth at state

Posted 2/23/21

The Powell High School swimming and diving team competed at the Class 3A state meet in Laramie over the weekend, with one Panther repeating as a state champion. 

Junior Nate Johnston defended …

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Johnston repeats as state champ

Panthers finish sixth at state

Posted

The Powell High School swimming and diving team competed at the Class 3A state meet in Laramie over the weekend, with one Panther repeating as a state champion. 

Junior Nate Johnston defended his crown in the 100 breaststroke, recording a new personal-best time of 59.57 seconds. The time also broke his Powell High School-record time of 1:00.53, which he set last year. Johnston also placed fifth in the 200 individual medley. 

As Powell’s top swimmer all year long, Johnston entered the competition ready to go. 

“He was in the right frame of mind and ready to race,” PHS head coach Stephanie Warren said. “He has been working to go under a minute all season and did it. He did a great job and we are very proud of him.”

Assistant coach Jerry Rodriguez added, “It shows what you can do when you dedicate yourself to something. Of all the swimmers that I coach, Nate is the one who trains the most and tries harder at every practice.”

As a team, the Panthers finished sixth, recording 94 points. The Lander boys dominated the meet to take their 25th straight state title, amassing 342 points while winning nine of the 12 events.

In addition to Johnston’s performances, all three of the Panthers’ relay teams improved their times in the finals of the events. In the 200 medley and 400 free relays, Tarren Blackmore, Francis Rogers, Johnston and Ru Parker posted season-best numbers while taking fifth place.

Meanwhile, Parker, who is a sophomore, took fourth in the 100 backstroke and Johnston added a fifth place finish in the 200 IM.

In diving, Ben Hawley was the only PHS representative in the finals. He finished 11th, recording a personal-best score of 277.95.

Blackmore, Powell’s lone senior, swam a personal-best in the 100 free with a time of 52.38, placing him ninth. “He will be missed so very much next year,” Warren said.

With Blackmore being the only athlete to leave the program, the future looks bright for PHS swimming. 

“We have a great group of juniors that are ready to step up and lead the team,” Warren said. “It is nice knowing we have so many coming back next year, and we look forward to watching them improve even more next year.”

Added Rodriguez, “Next year looks very promising. We have a great group of juniors and some very promising underclassmen.”

In an unconventional season altered by COVID-19, the coaching staff was proud of the team’s effort at state, as well as the entire year. 

“It was a difficult season overall, but I am so proud of the boys and Coach Warren for hanging in there and getting the job done,” Rodriguez said. “It was an honor to work with these fine young men and such a strong and caring head coach.”

      

Results

1. Lander 342, 2. Green River 202, 3. Buffalo 181, 4. Lyman 110, 5. Rawlins 106, 6. Powell 94, 7. Worland 81, 7. Kemmerer 81, 9. Sublette County 80, 10. Riverton 47, 11. Cody 22, 12. Douglas 20, 13. Newcaslte 17.

200 medley relay: 5. Ru Parker, Nate Johnston, Francis Rogers, Tarren Blackmore 1:43.81

200 free: 23. Kobus Diver 2:08.40

200 individual medley: 5. Nate Johnston  2:05.25,  15. Francis Rogers 2:22.77, 16. Gabe Rose  2:23.36

50 free: 13. Tarren Blackmore 23.57

1-meter 11 dives: 11. Ben Hawley  277.95, 15. Caiden Gehrts 192.95, 18. Jon Hawley 117.45, 22. Cole Frank 102.90

100 fly: 7. Ru Parker 57.84, 18. Francis Rogers  1:04.74, 19. Gabe Rose 1:05.00, 20. Kyler Warren 1:05.60, 24. Riley Schiller 1:08.12

100 free: 9. Tarren Blackmore  52.38

500 free: 22. Kobus Diver  6:01.31, 30. Kyler Warren 6:15.08

200 free relay: 10. Cole Frank, Kyler Warren, Kobus Diver, Caiden Gehrts 1:44.52

100 back: 4. Ru Parker 57.43, 22. Josh Wright 1:05.87

100 breast: 1. Nate Johnston 59.57, 19. Cole Frank 1:11.16

400 free relay: 5. Tarren Blackmore, Ru Parker, Francis Rogers, Nate Johnston 3:32.95

Powell High School, Panther Swimming

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