New-look Panther swim team looks to build on recent success

Posted 8/24/21

While the Powell High School girls’ swim team looks much different from last year’s, coach Bob Smartt expects the Panthers to pick up where they left off.

With a strong corps of …

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New-look Panther swim team looks to build on recent success

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While the Powell High School girls’ swim team looks much different from last year’s, coach Bob Smartt expects the Panthers to pick up where they left off.

With a strong corps of returners and a handful of impressive newcomers, Smartt expects the Panthers to be a juggernaut in the 3A ranks in 2021. They’re coming off a 2020 season where they won several meets and finished third at the state competition. 

The Panthers enter 2021 led by a group of state finalists a year ago: Emma Mitchell, Sydney Legler, Grace Sapp and Paige Thomas. In freestyle events, Lily Halter, Gabby Paterson, Kiyoko Hayano and Baylee Brence are key returners, while Dakota Hansen brings senior leadership in the individual medley. 

Powell also brings back four state qualifiers in stroke events: Kathryn Brence, Aubree Fisher, Kylie Kahl and Croix Tryon.

“While we graduated five of our top scoring athletes at 2020 3A State, we still have much to be optimistic about with 15 returning state qualifiers,” Smartt said.

Powell’s swimmers include a few newcomers who Smartt believes will be impactful this season: Cassidy Reimer, Kate Miller, Abigail Casey and Brinly Casey. And senior Sarah Hampton will return to the squad this fall after a two-year absence, due to a soccer injury.

Led by defending 3A Assistant Coach of the Year Heather Christensen, Smartt also expects Powell’s divers to excel this year. 

The Panthers return state finalist Kami Jensen, along with Taycee Walker and Emma Brence, both of whom competed well a year ago. Newcomers Aramonie Brinkerhoff and Yessenia Teague are also “expected to make a big impact” in 2021, per Smartt.

“Our dive corps has the depth, expertise, and coaching to be the best in 3A,” the coach said.

This season will also look different from 2020 in that it doesn’t have COVID-19 restrictions, as of now. Last year, the Panthers were restricted to pre-state meets of no more than four teams and 80 athletes. 

“This year we will be able to return to larger invitational meets which we like to swim due to our team depth,” Smartt said.

It’s also a different setup in terms of conferences. Instead of the previous west and east conference alignment, 3A will be divided in North and South divisions, with the Panthers competing against Cody, Worland, Buffalo, Riverton, Douglas and Newcastle in the North. Smartt expects this to benefit the Panthers, as they won’t have to compete against powerhouses Green River and Lander at conference.

The Powell team will have its first event of the year on Saturday at the Lander Pentathlon. Athletes will swim 100 yards of all four strokes in addition to the 50 freestyle, while the divers will have the option to do six or 11 dives.

Powell High School, Panther Swimming

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