Women’ swimming seeks return to podium

After falling in need of a fifth consecutive podium end final season the Powell Panther women’ swim and dive workforce is aiming to be again as one of many high 4 groups within the state this 12 months, returning quite a lot of high swimmers who’re working to enhance on their seventh place end final 12 months.

Leading the way in which might be seniors Patricia Christensen and Kaitlin Diver, who each earned high three finishes within the 200 free and 500 free respectively.

Christensen additionally had a fifth place end within the 100 again whereas Diver was the highest finisher within the ‘B’ remaining for the 200 IM final 12 months.

Another senior who brings again vital expertise for the Panthers is Addy Powell, who made the ‘B’ finals in each the 100 again and 50 free a 12 months in the past.

Coach Bob Smartt additionally anticipates robust contributions from extra seniors Brooke Brown and Kumora Snell within the butterfly and backstroke respectively.

“Our senior class this year is very strong,” Smartt mentioned.

While the Panthers boast 5 seniors returning with good expertise, Smartt mentioned they’ve added six new freshmen this season, as he anticipates each Lynea Christensen and Daisy Carpenter to be state qualifiers and contributors to the relays.

A brand new face for the Panthers might be Lilly Pittman, who Smartt mentioned made the transfer to Powell from Texas — he anticipates she’s going to contribute within the breaststroke.

From the sophomores, Smartt is anticipating a bounce from Charlotte Beeton, Tempie Day, Claire Hultgren and Baylee Kraft.

While the Panthers deliver again quite a lot of people who’ve expertise within the pool, he’s anticipating another 12 months within the water will assist the workforce with their relays, an space the place the Panthers struggled a 12 months in the past.

“In high school swimming relays count double versus individual events,” Smartt mentioned. “Last year we were fifth at conference and seventh at state primarily due to weakness in our three relay events. This year we expect to have fast relays and much more depth in the number of athletes competing to be on those relays.”

Lynea Christensen may even be stepping onto the diving board this 12 months, as she’ll compete in each elements for the Panthers, however Smartt mentioned this system remains to be on the lookout for extra athletes to hitch.

“We are in need of having new divers join our program,” Smartt mentioned. “We are searching for athletes ready to give diving a try, no experience  is necessary. We have a great diving coach in Heather Christensen.”

While the Panthers deliver again quite a lot of skilled athletes, Smartt mentioned he’s hopeful they’ll make sufficient enhancements to get again on the rostrum, as he expects powerful competitors from close by groups.

“On day zero, the three top teams in 3A state girls’ swimming are Lander, Cody and Buffalo. With a lot of hard work, hopefully we can improve significantly from our seventh place finish at state last year,” Smartt mentioned.

The season kicks off in Lander at 10 a.m. Saturday with the Panthers retaining their eyes on the state meet in Laramie on Nov. 7-8.