The Powell High School girls’ swim and dive team traveled to Buffalo for an invitational on Saturday. The team finished fifth as several competitors continued to near qualifying times entering the final regular season meet.

Three Panthers finished in a top three position, as Lynea Christensen took third in the 50 free with a time of 27.97 seconds, Stella Leighton was third in the 100 fly in 1:20.83 and Sophie Erkkila placed third in the 100 breaststroke with a 1:26.73.

While Christensen is already qualified in every event, Leighton and Erkkila are two of several Panthers who have neared a qualifying mark this year, with coach Bailey Jackson noting they are working on
the little things that should get some more swimmers qualified in the coming weeks.

“We need to keep focusing on what we have been; technique and our walls, so streamlines, turns, breakouts, etc. One thing we’re really trying to impress on the girls is that you can’t just muscle your way to a fast time,” Jackson said. “There are a lot of little things that stack up.”

Additional top 10 finishes for the Panthers included Meredyth Giltner who took seventh in the 100 breast (1:34.09) and 10th in the 100 free (1:24.64); Claire Hultgren took eighth in the 200 IM (3:07.5) and ninth in the 100 back (1:23.65); Leighton took eighth in the 100 back (1:21.13); Erkkila was ninth in the 200 free (3:00.4) and April Weckler placed 10th in the 200 free (3:00.79).

The Panther’s top relay was the 200 medley relay, composed of Weckler, Erkkila, Christensen and Leighton which took third place with a time of 2:23.42.

As a team the Panthers took on some tough competition, placing fifth with 117 points, as host Buffalo ran away with the team title with 444 points, more than double second place Worland with 197.

“Seeing the teams in Buffalo was great. It’s the last time we will see most of those teams before state,” Jackson said. “It’ll be a little odd not seeing them at conference since we switched.”

Powell now remains at home for the final time this season, hosting a meet at 4 p.m. on Friday with Jackson hopeful the Panthers will enjoy being at home for the final regular season meet.

“For our last home meet, we’re hoping to have a good, memorable time for our seniors,” Jackson said. “Other than that, we’re hoping to get a couple more girls closer to qualifying.”

BUFFALO INVITE

* Denotes state qualifying mark

Team scores — 1. Buffalo 444, 2. Worland 197, 3. Cody 176, 4. Newcastle 125, 5. Powell 117

200 medley relay — 3. April Weckler, Sophie Erkkila, Lynea Christensen and Stella Leighton 2:23.42; 6. Lily Paisley, Meredyth Giltner, Claire Hultgren and Michelle Hedges 2:53.14

200 free — 9. Sophie Erkkila 3:00.4, 10. April Weckler 3:00.79, 14. Michelle Hedges 3:47.82

200 IM — 8. Claire Hultgren 3:07.5

50 free — 3. Lynea Christensen 27.97*, 14. April Weckler 31.57, 19. Lily Paisley 43.54

100 fly — 3. Stella Leighton 1:20.83

100 free — 10. Meredyth Giltner 1:24.64

200 free relay — 5. Stella Leighton, Claire Hultgren, April Weckler and Lynea Christensen 2:08.28; 7. Lily Paisley, Michelle Hedges, Meredyth Giltner and Sophie Erkkila 2:39.24

100 back — 8. Stella Leighton 1:21.13, 9. Claire Hultgren 1:23.65, 12. Lily Paisley 1:45.54, 13. Michelle Hedges 1:52.73

100 breast — 3. Sophie Erkkila 1:26.73, 7. Meredyth Giltner 1:34.09