It’s been a memorable season so far for the Powell High School girls’ swimming and diving team, highlighted by its first 3A West conference title in over 20 years.

Now, two weeks after that signature win, the Lady Panthers head to Gillette today (Thursday) for the class 3A State Swimming and Diving Championships. Finals will follow on Friday.

“With 20 state qualifiers in individual events, we are bringing our deepest team to state in many years,” said PHS head coach Bob Smartt. “Last year we had 12 state qualifiers.”

The Lady Panthers have 31 entries in individual events (27 swimming and four diving), as opposed to 22 entries last year.

Qualifiers are as follows:

Seniors: Ashlyn Aguirre (100 butterfly and 200 IM), Anna Fuller (200 IM and 500 free), Rachel Kuntz (100 fly and 100 breaststroke) and Sidney O’Brien (100 backstroke and 50 free).

Juniors: Madi Hackenberg (diving), Emma Karhu (diving), Elizabeth Liggett (200 and 500 free), Madison Lowery (50 and 100 free) and Addison Moretti (200 and 500 freestyle).

Sophomores: Lily Halter (50 and 100 free), Dakota Hansen (500 free alternate), Grace Harder (200 IM and 500 free), Kylie Kahl (100 Backstroke), Sydney Legler (200 free and 100 butterfly) and Taycee Walker (diving).

Freshmen: Lucia Harder (100 fly and 200 IM), Kami Jensen (diving), Emma Mitchell (50 free and 100 backstroke), Gabby Paterson (100 and 200 free) and Grace Sapp (100 backstroke).

“At least six Panthers have a good opportunity to achieve new Powell Wall Of Fame  performances,” Smartt said. “Emma Karhu in diving, Anna Fuller in 200 IM and 500 free, Elizabeth Liggett and Addison Moretti in the 500 free, Lucia Harder in the 100 butterfly and 200 IM and Madison Lowery in the 50 freestyle.”

Lander and Buffalo are the two favorites to win the team title, according to Smartt. Both teams will bring a large contingent of year-round swimmers to the meet. The scoring system for the state championships — with points only scored to 12 places — favors teams with top athletes who can win individual events and populate winning relays, where points are doubled.

“Buffalo fares especially well in sprint free and is a favorite in the two freestyle relays,” Smartt said. “Buffalo dominated the 3A East Conference Championship.”

Defending state champion Lander has added divers to their overall strength in all swimming events, according to Smartt, and their two top swimmers —  Aslon Koch and Olivia Fowler — are expected to each win two state titles. 

“We are hoping to narrow the Lander gap, which has declined from a 237-point advantage in 2016 (324-87), to 163 and 107 points at the last two state meets,” Smartt said. “It would be a nice accomplishment to cut the Lander gap in half to 53 points this year.”