Though summer is often filled with relaxing and taking a break from normal routines, Powell’s young swimmers have been hard at work.

The Powell Swim Club recently attended the Summer State Long Course Championships in Gillette — and coach Jerry Rodriguez described his team’s performance as “awesome.” Out of 19 teams that competed from July 16-18, Powell finished ninth overall. 

Of the Division II classification, the Piranhas placed second. The team even had one individual state champion: incoming Powell High School senior Nate Johnston in the 100 breast.

Two boys’ relay teams — the 400 medley and 400 free — finished second; they both consisted of Johnston, Rui Parker, Gabe Rose and Kobus Diver. 

The girls’ side also saw strong performances from the relay teams. Kinley Cooley, Karee Cooley, Kaitlin Diver and Addy Powell swam their way to fourth-place finishes in the 200 medley and 200 free relays.

Several other Piranhas finished in the top 10 of their respective events and age groups. Every Piranha did so in at least one individual event.

Not only did the Swim Club compete at the state event, two of its members — Johnston and Parker — traveled to the 2021 Arena Western Zone Senior Championships in Clovis, California. They were two of 32 athletes from Wyoming who competed on the state’s all-star team.

Johnston competed in three individual events, placing 33rd in the 100 breast (1:09.18), 43rd in the 200 breast (2:39.32) and 77th in the 200 individual medley (2:22.65), also swimming in the 400 free relay team that finished 44th (3:52.44). Parker swam in the 100 back, finishing 54th (1:07.14).

“It was a great experience,” Rodriguez said, “and both athletes encouraged their fellow teammates to train hard and try to make the zone cuts.”

Although those were the last meets, the Powell Swim Club will officially wrap up its summer season on Friday.