The Powell Panther girls’ swimming team had some strong performances at the Bruce Gresly Pentathlon in Lander, as four swimmers earned state qualifying marks at the five event season opener.

“The great majority of high school swim meets limits the number of events a swimmer may enter to four, with a maximum of two being individual races,” coach Bob Smartt said. “The Lander Pentathlon is special and athletes are able to enter five races. This makes the Lander meet a good kick-off competition as we get to see how athletes are progressing in each stroke.”

Leading the way was Kaitlin Diver, who improved on her finish last year at the pentathlon to bring home fifth place overall with a total time of 5:04.13.

She qualified in all five events, placing second in the 100 breast (1:16.16), fourth in the 100 fly (1:07.45), 10th in the 100 free (1:01.27), 13th in the 100 back (1:10.78) and 14th in the 50 free (28.47).

“Kaitlin had significant best times in her 100 butterfly and 100 breaststroke events,” Smartt said. “This was a big improvement from her placing 10th last year in a total time of 5:16.”

The next Panther to complete the pentathlon and earn a state qualifying mark was Addy Powell, who finished 18th overall with a time of 5:46.06.

She took 12th and qualified in the 100 fly (1:15.09), while also placing 17th in the 100 free (1:05.82), 24th in the 100 back (1:18.35), tying for 26th in the 50 free (30.58) and 31st in the 100 breast (1:36.22).

Patricia Christensen earned four qualifying times for the state meet, but did not complete all five events.

She qualified and took third in the 100 back (1:05.61), fourth in the 100 fly (1:07.45), 11th in the 100 breast (1:21.75) and 16th in the 100 free (1:04.18).

“The Powell girls’ Hall of Fame standard for the 100 backstroke is 1:03.43. When Patricia swam her personal best time placing fourth at the state meet last year in 1:04.91, she was out in her first 50 in 31.12,” Smartt said. “Saturday her first 50 was 31.49, showing excellent speed.”

Kate Miller was the final qualifier for the state meet for the Panthers. She earned a qualifying time in the 100 back after taking 17th in a time of 1:14.71 after completing four events.

Powell had four additional athletes who completed the pentathlon but did not earn qualifying times. Anika Anderson finished 37th overall (6:23.65), Samantha Young placed 40th (6:33.84), Brooke Brown placed 43rd (6:36.51) and Claire Hultgren placed 51st (7:16.95).

The Panthers had one diver compete. Myah Rakness entered the six dive competition and earned a score of 99.82.

Continuing the early season competitions the Panthers will head to Cody this weekend, taking part in a meet at 2 p.m. on Friday.

Smartt said they will see some of the same teams from Lander including the Tigers, as well as new teams in Buffalo and Newcastle.

He said there will be four new swimmers competing for the Panthers after making their debut in Lander.