Serving the Big Horn Basin for over 100 years
Serving the Big Horn Basin for over 100 years
Warrior Eli Carver swims toward another turn in the 500-yard freestyle at the Gene Dozah Invitational in Powell on Jan. 11.
With their next two meets in their home pool, a few Warriors on the cusp of qualifying for the 3A State meet are eager to hit those times in front of family and friends this weekend.
The Warriors have two events at the Worland Aquatic Center this weekend. Friday is a quad against 4A Jackson, 4A Riverton and Powell at 4 p.m. Then, on Saturday is the annual Warrior Invitational at 10 a.m.
Last week, the Warriors were in Powell on Jan. 10, a dual vs. Powell, and on Jan. 11, the Gene Dozah Invitational. Leading the way there was freshman Zach Davis, who won the 500-yard freestyle at 5:28.51.
"Zach was phenomenal. He's a distance swimmer, and he's good at swimming back-to-back events because he works so hard," said WHS boys swimming and diving coach Justin Howe.
Thomas Nelson and Niels Quigley were seconds away from qualifying in the 100-yard backstroke. Nelson swam a 1:09.08 and Quigley a 1:10.93, the 3A State qualifying time is 1:08.72
"Neils and Thomas were close to qualifying in the back. We're working all week on backstroke so they can get it this weekend. They're so close that they just have to do the little things like starts and turns. Thomas's swimming is good enough that we're just working on his start," said Howe. "Scottie was close in the 200 IM. That was awesome because it was unexpected. He was two seconds off and knows what he has to do to get that."
Worland divers Trevor Hill and Keegan Scott put up strong scores in Powell. Hill 140.60 points and Scott 118.10 points.
"The divers, Trevor had a rough day Friday but came back on Saturday and was excellent. [Trevor] and Keegan did really well this weekend. A little more DD and cleaning some things up and they can qualify," said Howe.
First-year swimmer Eli Carver continues to make big strides in the pool. He's cut time each week and is willing swim in any event his coach puts him in.
"Eli continues to work his butt off. He's just a hard worker and is a big strong kid. He's learning technique and what I tell him to do he goes and does," said Howe.
With the home meets this weekend, Howe is confident that his swimmers will have one of their best meets of the regular season.
"We have out two home meets this week. We'll have more teams here and the excitement of swimming at home, we should get those qualifiers," said Howe. "Some of them are seeing they can get this qualifiers by getting these little things down."
