Though nearly half of the team was absent, Powell’s swimming and diving team displayed its prowess Saturday in Worland.

The Panthers placed third at the Worland Invite, posting 249 points as a team. Only nine of the team’s 17 swimmers ventured southeast, so Powell High School assistant coach Jerry Rodriguez was pleased with the overall effort from his squad.

“We did not have the depth that we usually have,” Rodriguez said. “Knowing that we were missing half the team did not deter the guys, they just got in and went to work.”

PHS head coach Stephanie Warren added, “It is good to see them continue to do their best with some of the others missing.”

The Panthers notched two first-place finishes at the event, both from junior Nate Johnston. He won first place in the 200 individual medley with a time of 2:09.71 and first in the 100 breast with a time of 1:02.03.

In a performance Rodriguez described as “awesome,” PHS senior Tarren Blackmore shaved 8.47 seconds off his 200 free time for a new personal best of 2:04.31. He also logged a personal best in the 100 fly, adding to his state qualification list.

Kyler Warren was the Panthers’ lone new qualifier for the Class 3A state meet, cutting four seconds off his 100 fly time to hit the threshold. Others who added to their state qualifier list included Blackmore (200 free, 100 fly), Ru Parker (50 free) and Gabe Rose (200 individual medley).

The 400 free relay team of Blackmore, Parker, Francis Rogers and Johnston recorded its best time of the season (3:42.07) for a second-place finish.

“We had some pretty good swims,” Rodriguez said.

The coach admitted that this week will be challenging on his squad, with fewer practices and three meets — two of which are back-to-back. Powell hosts Worland and Cody for a triangular at 5 p.m. today (Tuesday) before road events in Cody and Lander on Friday and Saturday, respectively.

The Tuesday triangular at the Powell Aquatic Center is the last event that the Panthers will host in the 2020-21 season.

“I look forward to seeing a few more state-qualifying swims and a great last home meet,” coach Warren said, adding, “they will enjoy swimming at home.”

Full results:

200 medley relay

3. Ru Parker, Nate Johnston, Francis Rogers, Kyler Warren 1:50.45, 5. Josh Wright, Ashtin Prentiss, Gabe Rose, Riley Schiller 2:12.43

200 free

2. Tarren Blackmore 2:04.31, 8. Josh Wright 2:22.11

200 individual medley

1. Nate Johnston 2:09.71, 5. Gabe Rose 2:29.05

50 free

2. Ru Parker 25.10, 10. Riley Schiller 28.78

1-meter 6 dives

7. Ashtin Prentiss 124.55

100 fly

3. Ru Parker 1:00.55, 4. Tarren Blackmore 1:01.20, 6. Kyler Warren 1:08.07

100 free

4. Francis Rogers 58.85, 8. Gabe Rose 1:02.70

500 free

4. Josh Wright 6:16.36, 6. Kyler Warren 6:28.86, 7. Riley Schiller 6:31.65

200 free

5. Tarren Blackmore, Riley Schiller, Ashtin Prentiss, Kyler Warren 1:48.79

100 back

5. Francis Rogers 1:10.09

100 breast

1. Nate Johnston 1:02.03, 6. Ashtin Prentiss 1:16.92

400 free relay

2. Tarren Blackmore, Ru Parker, Francis Rogers, Nate Johnston 3:42.07