Serving the Big Horn Basin for over 100 years
Serving the Big Horn Basin for over 100 years
Lady Warrior Grace Beamer sprints forward during the 100-yard freestyle during the Worland Invitational on Sept. 25 at the Worland Aquatic Center.
WORLAND - This is the point in the girls swimming season when personal records are being set each week, and for the Worland Lady Warriors, each meet brings new PRs as seconds are being dropped all over.
The Lady Warriors started last week with a triangular in Buffalo on Sept. 24, and on Sept. 25, they closed out the weekend with their annual home meet at the Worland Aquatic Center.
"I liked the intensity that the girls brought to both meets," said WHS girls swimming coach Mike Blissett. "They came to Buffalo ready to compete, and everyone performed really well. We had a bunch of season-best times from every girl on the team! Then on Saturday, the girls were fired up again in front of our entire conference and showed them all that we have strength and depth this season."
Adriyn Brown and Elena Gunderson were new qualifiers for the Lady Warriors. Brown qualified in diving and Gunderson the 100-yard freestyle. Kelli Frimml and Shae Whitlock added to their state qualifying events, as they both qualified in the 200-yard individual medley.
DeEtte Hofmann qualified in the 100-yard butterfly in Newcastle on Sept. 18. The Lady Warriors have seven total qualified for state.
The postseason is not far off for the Lady Warriors, and from what, Blissett's seen so far from this year's team, he knows they're committed to making sure this team reaches its potential.
"The girls on this team are willing to try, and they are incredibly hard workers. We're going to need every girl, and every little detail matters if we're going to be able to hang with these other teams at the conference, and the girls we have this year have the heart and tenacity to give us a chance. It's been really fun to watch the girls grow as athletes as well as teammates this season, and I think we have something really special in the girls on our team this year," said Blissett.
What also makes this time of year so great is the night and day improvement from the swimming newcomers.
Swimmers like Grace Beamer, Elizabeth Leach and Riley O'Brien have improved in the water so much that their confidence has grown, and they want to add more events.
"I seriously could fill your whole paper with highlights for every girl on our team," said Blissett. "For example, our least experienced girls are showing the most gains right now, which makes sense because they're becoming so much more efficient in the water and on the diving board. Grace Beamer, Riley O'Brien, and Elizabeth Leach are stepping out of their comfort zones in practice and meets. Their technique is massively improved, and their times are coming down to show for it. Audra Neighbors is also working very hard on the diving board, and it is definitely showing up in her scores in the last couple of weeks."
The Lady Warriors continue their season with a triangular in Lander on Friday. Then on Saturday, they are swimming in the Pinedale invitational.
SWIMMERS OF THE WEEK
Sept. 6-11: "This week, our word was committed. Our swimmers that exemplified this were freshmen Audra Neighbors and Shae Whitlock.
"Shae has been swimming since she was little and still brings positivity a drive to every swim.
"Audra is a new diver and has consistently pushed herself each week, learning new dives at record speed to be able to compete at each meet and support her swim sisters," said WHS girls swimming assistant coach Danielle Warren.
Sept. 13-18: "Our word for this week is unity. We were looking for swimmers who brought our team closer together and worked to unify our team. Swimmers of the week this week are senior Ashlyn Erickson for her leadership and positivity toward everyone on the team. She is always helping others and making them feel supported. Freshman Keira Warren for always bringing kindness and positivity. She is always organizing activities and bringing our team closer together," said Warren.
Sept. 20-25: "Word of the week this week was determined. Our swimmers of the week are sophomores, Elena Gunderson and Riley O'Brien.
"Elena shows determination by working hard day in a d day out. She recently qualified in the 100-yard freestyle due to her hard work and dedication.
"Riley shows determination by driving over from Thermopolis every day and trying something outside of her comfort zone in a new sport. She recently swam the 100-yard butterfly for the first time and did a great job," said Warren.
