Two new state qualifiers joined the ranks for the Powell Panther swim and dive team at the Absaraka Conference meet in Newcastle on Friday and Saturday, as Kumora Snell and Myah Rakness qualified for the state meet while Kaitlin Diver was named the Conference Athlete of the Year and Athlete of the Meet.

Snell became the first new qualifier when she earned a 1 minute, 14.75 seconds in the 100 back during prelims on Friday, before placing eighth in a time of 1:15.77 on Saturday.

Rakness achieved her qualifying standard in diving, moving past the qualifying mark of 250 points with a score of 259.2, competing in an 11 dive competition for the first time this season.

She finished eighth in the event.

Individually at the top, the Panthers had two competitors earn two conference titles.

Diver earned a close win in the 200 IM with a victory of 2:22.55, narrowly edging out Shae Whitlock of Worland and Summer LaVigne of Cody, while dominating the 500 free with a 15 second win over the closest competitor with a 5:39.93.

Patricia Christensen was the other Panther with a double victory, claiming a four second win in the 200 free with a 2:08.97 and a less than one second win in the 100 back with a 1:04.9.

The other “A” final finish for the Panthers was Addy Powell finishing fifth in the 100 back (1:10.29).

Finalists in the consolation, or “B” finals at the conference meet included Charlotte Beeton placing ninth in the 100 fly (1:18.03) and 12th in the 100 back (1:18.18); Samantha Young placing ninth in the 500 free (6:45.34) and 10th in the 100 fly (1:18.29) and Tempie Day placing 11th in the 500 free (6:57.07).

Coach Bob Smartt noted that 11 of the 12 Panthers at the meet had personal best marks, totaling 21 overall between them.

As a team the Panthers placed fifth with 166 points, ahead of Newcastle in sixth with 120 and behind Worland in fourth with 206.

Cody won the conference title with 330 points while Buffalo and Douglas tied for second with 219.

Powell now heads off for a short road trip to Cody at 5 p.m. today (Tuesday), taking part in the Last Chance meet.

The Panthers who have qualified for the state meet will then practice through next week before heading to Cheyenne to take part in the 3A State Championships on Thursday and Friday, Nov. 7-8 at Cheyenne East High School.

ABSARAKA CONFERENCE

* Denotes state qualifying mark, p denotes preliminary round mark

Team scores — 1. Cody 330, T2. Buffalo and Douglas 219, 4. Worland 206, 5. Powell 166, 6. Newcastle 120

200 medley relay — 6. Kumora Snell, Brooke Brown, Samantha Young and Claire Hultgren 2:31.94

200 free — 1. Patricia Christensen 2:08.97*, 17. Leah Sockey 3:12.61p

200 IM — 1. Kaitlin Diver 2:22.55*, 15. Claire Hultgren 3:09.71p

50 free — 5. Addy Powell 27.86*, 13. Kumora Snell 32.13p

1-meter diving (11 dives) — 8. Myah Rakness 259.2*

100 fly — 9. Charlotte Beeton 1:18.03, 10. Samantha Young 1:18.29, 13. Brooke Brown 1:21.56p

500 free — 1. Kaitlin Diver 5:39.93*, 9. Samantha Young 6:45.34, 11. Tempie Day 6:57.07, 15. Claire Hultgren 7:39.83p, 17. Baylee Kraft 7:47.17p, 19. Leah Sockey 8:23.56

200 free relay — 6. Claire Hultgren, Tempie Day, Baylee Kraft and Leah Sockey 2:19.68

100 back — 1. Patricia Christensen 1:04*, 5. Addy Powell 1:10.29*, 8. Kumora Snell 1:15.77 (1:14.75p*), 12. Charlotte Beeton 1:18.18, 14. Brooke Brown 1:18.73p, 17. Baylee Kraft 1:25.25p

400 free relay — 4. Brooke Brown, Kaitlin Diver, Patricia Christensen and Samantha Young 4:19.85