In the midst of the holiday season, Powell High School senior Tarren Blackmore is particularly thankful for one thing: getting to swim amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Coming in, I didn’t think we’d be able to do it,” Blackmore said. “I’m very grateful.”

Blackmore is one of several returners from the boys’ swim team that finished second place at the 2020 Class 3A state meet in Laramie. That squad wrapped up its season just two weeks before the pandemic shut down all Wyoming high school athletics.

As the team heads into 2020-21, PHS head coach Stephanie Warren is appreciative of the opportunity to finish the previous campaign in February, as well as starting a new one.

“We were just so thankful that we completed our season, and even more thankful that we can be back here at the pool,” Warren said. “These kids are some great athletes and a lot of them don’t do other sports. For them to have that opportunity to do what they love is huge and for us to get to be here and be a part of that is huge.”

Many of Powell’s returners saw great success in the 2019-20 season. Two of them — Blackmore and Nate Johnston — were members of the state-champion 200 free relay team. Several other swimmers also competed at the state meet, in both swimming and diving.

Warren said she expects the experience to pay off throughout the season.

“Some of our top finishers are back, so we definitely have some strength with our
returning swimmers,” Warren said. “Many of them swam year-round, too, so they’re not as out of shape as they have been in the past.”

A few swimmers Warren expects to stand out this year include Blackmore, Johnston and sophomore Ru Parker. On the diving side, Cole Frank and Jonathan Hawley should have “phenomenal seasons,” the coach said.

But more than just individual swimmers seeing success, Warren predicts a strong effort all around.

“Honestly, I could see outstanding performances by all of them,” the coach said. “I’d expect them all to have great years.”

This season is much different from past years, however. The virus has changed the social dynamic of participating in a team sport, eliminating outside gatherings such as team dinners.

While Blackmore admitted this could make it difficult to form a team bond, he expects the group to build that camaraderie in different ways.

“It’s going to be a little harder this year,” Blackmore said. “I think just making sure that we’re all there for each other and that we celebrate each others’ accomplishments — just make sure we all feel like a team and family.”

The 2020-21 season is also different from last year in the fact that Jerry Rodriguez is back on staff. A longtime assistant, Rodriguez took a four-year break from coaching the Panthers but decided to return this season.

“Prior to his leaving, we had never gotten below third place,” Warren said of Rodriguez, “so we hope we are able to do what we can to be up there.”

In his final year in the program, Blackmore said one of his main goals for the squad is to grow as a team. He also hopes the Panthers can place in the top three at state.

For Warren, her aspirations are simple.

“To be able to complete the season, to be able to go to our meets to get them qualified and get them to state — that is our number one goal,” Warren said. “Honestly, just to complete the season to the best of their ability is what we want to see. I think that can happen; I think it’s going to be a good season.”

The Panthers kick off the season at 5 p.m. Friday, in a meet hosted at the Cody Rec Center.