Local swimmers excel at state swim meet

The Powell Panthers boys swimming team had their state competition this past weekend on February 20-21. Athletes from Big Horn County that competed were Hugh Carpenter: 50 free, 100 free, 200 free, 500 free, 100 back, 100 breast, 100 fly and the 200 IM; Will Fuller: 50 free, 100 free, 200 free, 100 back, 100 breast, 100 fly and the 200 IM; Conner Mayes: 50 free, 100 free, 200 free, 500 free, 100 fly and the 200 IM; Gabe Buchholz: 100 back, and 100 fly; and Taggart Shumway: 50 free and the 1 meter dive.

Powell took a total of nine swimmers to the state competition. There were many accomplishments for Big Horn County swimmings. To start, Fuller, Mayes, Carpenter and Shumway placed sixth in the 200-yard medley relay, and Carpenter, Mayes, Fuller and Trystan Preator took fourth place in the 400-yard free relay.

There were many other podium finishes. Fuller placed fifth in the 50-yard free and sixth in the 100-yard back. Shumway placed seventh in the 1-meter diving.

Carpenter placed fourth in the 100-yard fly, and he entered the Powell High School Hall of Fame with the fifth fastest time in Powell High School history with a time of 55.66 seconds.

Powell placed fifth at the competition, which is remarkable, Coach Jerry Rodriguez said, adding, “What a great way to end the season. We had some awesome races, finalists and medalists, placed fifth overall and had one swimmer enter our Hall of Fame. This was truly an exciting season for the Powell boys swimming.”