Competing at home for the final time this year paid off for the Powell High School swim and dive team, as the Panthers added a new qualifier in freshman Stella Leighton as Powell fell one point short in a dual against Cody on Friday.

Leighton took advantage of the home waters and swam her way to a qualifying mark in the 100 butterfly, taking second with a time of 1 minute, 16.19 seconds.

“That was awesome,” coach Bailey Jackson said. “Stella’s been working really hard, and it paid off. Now we need to get her qualified in the 100 back as well.”

Lynea Christensen was the lone double event winner for the Panthers, as she took the top spot in diving with a score of 163.65, and the 100 fly with a time of 1:12.6.

Sophie Erkkila was the other individual winner, as she took the top spot in the 100 breaststroke in 1:26.67 and is less than a second from qualifying in that event.

The 200 medley relay of April Weckler, Erkkila, Leighton and Christensen won in 2:17.95.

Other top three finishes included Michelle Hedges who took second in the 200 IM (4:06.4) and third in the 500 free (9:43.3); Weckler placed second in the 50 free (30.67) and third in the 100 breast (1:35.62); Claire Hultgren took second in the 100 back (1:23.75) and third in the 100 free (1:14.59); Meredyth Giltner took second in the 100 breast (1:29.93) and third in the 200 free (2:55.02); Lilly Pittman placed third in the 50 free (31.58) and Lily Paisley took third in the 100 back (1:37.9).

It was senior night for Hedges, Paisley, Pittman and River James as the Panthers said goodbye one final time to the four seniors.

“It was fun but bittersweet, it’s always a little bittersweet saying goodbye to seniors,” Jackson said.

Entering into the postseason the Panthers head on the road to Lyman for the first time this year to take part in the 3A West Conference Meet on Friday and Saturday.

“In Lyman, we’re hoping to add one more state qualifier. One girl in particular is less than a second away, but we have a couple more in striking distance,” Jackson said. “Overall, we’re looking forward to getting some PRs and having a good time as a team.”

Powell then makes the trek  to Cody on Tuesday for the Last Chance Meet in a dual against the Fillies.

CODY 84, POWELL 83

* Denotes state qualifying mark

200 medley relay — 1. April Weckler, Sophie Erkkila, Stella Leighton and Lynea Christensen 2:17.95

200 free — 3. Meredyth Giltner 2:55.02, 4. Sophie Erkkila 3:03.57

200 IM — 2. Michelle Hedges 4:06.4

50 free — 2. April Weckler 30.67, 3. Lilly Pittman 31.58, 4. Stella Leighton 31.65, 6. Lily Paisley 41.74

1-meter diving (six dives) — 1. Lynea Christensen 163.65*

200 free relay — 2. Lilly Pittman, April Weckler, Claire Hultgren and Lynea Christensen 2:06.29

100 fly — 1. Lynea Christensen 1:12.6*, 2. Stella Leighton 1:16.19*

100 free — 3. Claire Hultgren 1:14.59

500 free — 3. Michelle Hedges 9:43.3

100 back — 2. Claire Hultgren 1:23.75, 3. Lily Paisley 1:37.9

100 breast — 1. Sophie Erkkila 1:26.67, 2. Meredyth Giltner 1:29.93, 3. April Weckler 1:35.62

400 free relay — 2. Meredyth Giltner, Lilly Pittman, Claire Hultgren and Stella Leighton 5:10.37