The Powell High School boys’ swimming and diving team kicked off the postseason on Saturday, competing in the 3A West Conference meet in Lander. The Panthers finished fourth at the event, posting 150 points as a team. Lander Valley won the meet with 352 points, ahead of Green River (291) and Lyman (171) in the seven-team field.

A few of Powell’s athletes were not present for the meet, so considering that, assistant coach Jerry Rodriguez was pleased with the group’s performance.

“I thought that as a team we performed well,” Rodriguez said. “We especially missed points that would have been scored by our three missing divers.”

Two Panthers posted conference-championship times: Nate Johnston and Ru Parker. Johnston, a junior, won the 100 breast with a time of 1:00.66, breaking the 3A West Conference record by half a second, while Parker, a sophomore, won the 100 back in 57.18 seconds. 

The 200 medley relay team of Parker, Johnston, Francis Rogers and Tarren Blackmore also posted its best time of the season — 1:45.90 — which was good for second. 

Meanwhile, PHS coach Jerry Rodriguez described Kobus Diver’s performance at the conference meet as “extraordinary,” considering he just got a cast off his previously broken arm. Diver qualified in the 200 free while also cutting 10 seconds off his best 100 fly time. 

Other swimmers who logged personal bests were: Kyler Warren (200 free, 100 fly); Hunter Davis (200 free); Gabe Rose (200 individual medley, 100 fly); Nathan Fuller (200 individual medley, 100 back); and Rogers (100 breast). 

Because of COVID-19-related precautions, the conference event was split across two sites, with four teams swimming in Lyman and three (including Powell) in Lander; the results were then combined for final results.

Several Panthers will venture to the last-chance meet in Cody today (Tuesday), where swimmers and divers will have one last opportunity to qualify for the state meet on Feb. 19-20 in Laramie. With state less than two weeks ago, PHS head coach Stephanie Warren feels confident about where the squad stands. 

“I think they are as prepared as they can be ... considering all of the factors we have dealt with this year,” Warren said. “They are all giving it their all when they are there. We couldn’t ask for a better team to work with.”

Full results:

1. Lander Valley 352, 2. Green River 291, 3. Lyman 171, 4. Powell 150, 5. 116, 6. Riverton 115, 7. Sublette County 110

200 medley relay: 2. Ru Parker, Nate Johnston, Francis Rogers, Tarren Blackmore 1:45.90

200 free: 10. Francis Rogers 2:09.00, 13. Kobus Diver 2:10.89, 22. Kyler Warren 2:18.41, 27. Hunter Davis 2:45.54

200 individual medley: 3. Nate Johnston 2:07.22, 9. Gabe Rose 2:27.38, 15. Josh Wright 2:41.25, 16. Nathan Fuller 2:43.44

50 free: 5. Tarren Blackmore 23.68, 20. Cole Frank 27.35, 22. Jon Hawley 28.19, 24. Riley Schiller 28.65, 28. David Polson 32.68

1-meter 11 dives: 9. Jon Hawley 248.40, 12. Ben Hawley 220.15

100 fly: 2. Ru Parker 56.91, 12. Kyler Warren 1:07.67, 13. Gabe Rose 1:07.81, 17. Kobus Diver 1:15.07

100 free: 8. Tarren Blackmore 54.50, 21. Cole Frank 1:02.03, 23. Ben Hawley 1:03.57, 27. David Polson 1:12.84

500 free: 12. Josh Wright 6:17.00, 15. Riley Schiller 6:22.79

200 free relay: 2. Riley Schiller, Gabe Rose, Caiden Gehrts, Kyler Warren 1:52.80, 11. Ben Hawley, Jon Hawley, Hunter Davis, Josh Wright

100 back: 1. Ru Parker 57.18, 15. Nathan Fuller 1:14.67, 16. Hunter Davis 1:15.94

100 breast: 1. Nate Johnston 1:00.66, 12. Francis Rogers 1:13.62

400 free relay: 5. Tarren Blackmore, Francis Rogers, Ru Parker, Nate Johnston 3:44.66, 11. Kobus Diver, Caiden Gehrts, Ben Hawley, Riley Schiller 4:19.41