Swimmers to conference this weekend

Miles and miles of driving, miles and miles watching that black stripe in the pool go by, some days fast, some slow. The high school swim season is short on the calendar, but when you count up the miles on the road and in the pool, it stretches out.

With three weeks left in the 2023 season, the Powell High School girls swimming/diving team will finish with two culminating meets, the 2A Northwest conference meet in Cody this Friday and Saturday at the Paul Stock Aquatic and Recreation Center, and State at the Campbell County Aquatic Center in Gillette Nov. 3-4. 

Coach Robert Smartt had this to say about the Lovell swimmers earlier this month —

“Our team has an 8-0 regular season record this year (now 11-0), and we were 12-0 last year. We would not be undefeated if we did not have the major assist from our Lovell athletes.

“Paige Thomas has been a championship finalist at State the last two years in the 100 butterfly event. Last she earned All-State honors as a member of the 200 medley relay. Last year she was a state qualifier in each of the eight high school swimming events. Paige showed her versatility in all four strokes last year as a consolation finalist at State in the 200 individual medley event.

“Croix Tryon is a four-year state qualifier for the team. She has been a three-year finalist at our league championships. Croix excels in the 100 butterfly, 200 individual medley and sprint free events. This year she has added the 100 breaststroke event to her repertoire as a state qualifier. Croix makes us all proud with her decision to enlist in the military immediately upon graduation. As strong individual medley swimmers, both Croix and Paige are a coach’s dream, because they are always ready to swim whatever events  the team needs at a given event.

“Leah Sockey has scored points for the team this year. She is expanding her list of races to include the 500 freestyle this year. Leah enjoys making new friends with Powell girls on the combined team.”

End of the regular season times from their last two meets: 

Oct. 7: Buffalo Invite

Team scores: Powell 383, Douglas 297, Worland 214, Buffalo 190, Newcastle 101.

Thomas: 50y free, 28.87 (6); 500 free, 6:23.64 (3).

Tryon: 200y IM, 2:46.89 (9); 100y fly, 1:13.71 (4).

Sockey: 50y free, 46.07 (26); 100y back, 1:49.96 (16).

Oct. 10: Cody at Powell (senior night)

Team scores: Powell 123, Cody 63.

Thomas: 50y free, 28.39 (1); 100y breast, 1:24.74 (4).

Tryon: 200y IM, 2:45.43 (4); 100y free, 1:03.44 (3).

Sockey: 200y free, 3:37.23 (9); 100y free, 1:43.76 (9).