For the second year in a row and the third time in four years the Powell Panther girls’ swim and dive team won a conference title — running away with the Absaraka/Eastern Conference championship by 130 points over second place Cody.

“Our win was a total team effort … 20 athletes qualified for finals,” coach Bob Smartt said.

There were two individual wins by the Panthers, with Emma Mitchell winning the 50 free (25.82) and Grace Sapp the 100 back (1:03.72).

Powell was also paced by one relay win, winning the 200 medley (1:57.58) relay narrowly over Douglas. Sapp (29.26), Mitchell (33.52), Paige Thomas (28.84) and Kik Hayano (25.96) were the athletes on the winning relay.

“Our 200 medley relay started the team’s momentum,” Smartt said.

All four divers finished with personal bests, paced by Kami Jensen (373.15) who finished in second. The Panthers placed three of the top four finishers.

Overall the best event for the Panthers was the backstroke, as they finished with five of the top nine placers — earning 45 points compared to 22 for Douglas.

A strong push from the senior class provided 93 points in individual events. They also accounted for six of the 12 relay swimmers.

Smartt said that losing these athletes will make it a challenge to keep the conference trophy next year, but feels the Panthers will have a chance to defend the conference title with proper training.

Powell now takes a small break before heading to the state meet in Laramie in two weeks.

One last opportunity will present itself for those who have not qualified for state, with a last chance qualifying meet taking place in Cody on Thursday. 

ABSARAKA CONFERENCE

* Denotes state qualifying standard    ^ Denotes preliminary time

Team scores: 1. Powell 369, 2. Cody 239, 3. Douglas 215, 4. Worland 172, 5. Buffalo 141, 6. Riverton 84, 7. Newcastle 79

200 medley relay: 1. Grace Sapp, Emma Mitchell, Paige Thomas and Kik Hayano 1:57.58

200 free: 2. Gabby Paterson 2:09.38*; 7. Kaitlin Diver 2:15.66*; 8. Baylee Brence 2:18.93*; 10. Kathryn Brence 2:21.36; 15. Emma Sapp 2:32.34^

200 IM: 2. Kik Hayano 2:27.42*; 4. Paige Thomas 2:28.37*; 5. Grace Sapp 2:28.41*; 8. Patricia Christensen 2:33.34*

50 free: 1. Emma Mitchell 25.82*; 14. Croix Tryon 28.85^; 26: Kumora Snell 34.23^

1-meter diving (11 dives): 2. Kami Jensen 373.15*; 3. Tori Black 315.80*; 4. Aramonie Brinkerhoff 310.75*; 8. Emma Brence 258.50*

100 fly: 3. Kik Hayano 1:05.83*; 5. Paige Thomas 1:08.56*; 7. Charlee Brence 1:08.93*; 8. Croix Tryon 1:11.47*

100 free: 4. Gabby Paterson 59.31*; 6. Addy Powell 1:00.68*; 11. Aubree Fisher 1:05.61; 16. Kate Miller 1:06.88^; 18. Cassidy Reimer 1:08.83^

500 free: 3. Kaitlin Diver 6:00.03*; 5. Baylee Brence 6:11.05*; 7. Charlee Brence 6:17.33*; 12. Emma Sapp 6:55.18*

200 free relay: 2. Emma Mitchell, Gabby Paterson, Paige Thomas and Kik Hayano 1:46.25

100 back: 1. Grace Sapp 1:03.72*; 2. Addy Powell 1:05.40*; 4. Patricia Christensen 1:06.18*; 8. Kate Miller 1:11.12*; 10. Cassidy Reimer 1:13.75; 22. Leah Sockey 1:47.63^

100 breast: 3. Emma Mitchell 1:14.36*; 4. Aubree Fisher 1:16.47*; 7. Kathryn Brence 1:17.58*; 11. Brinly Casey 1:24.52

400 free relay: 4. Gabby Paterson, Kaitlin Diver, Addie Powell and Grace Sapp 4:04.30