The Wyoming High School Girls Swimming State Championships will take place Thursday through Saturday in Gillette, bringing together the top swimmers from across the state. This year’s meet features a new 16‑competitor scoring format, adding depth to the competition in both Class 3A and Class 4A.
Class 3A: Lander Looks to Extend Dominance
For the third consecutive year, Lander High School enters the meet as the heavy favorite in Class 3A. The Tigers have claimed three titles in the past six seasons, including a tie in 2021, and have consistently posted the fastest times against both 3A and 4A opponents throughout the 2026 season.
Key returning swimmers include Vayda Havens, who has won the two distance freestyle events for the past two years, and Emily Plaisted, the 200 IM champion in 2024 and 2025. Sprint freestyle specialist Sara Kearns remains a top contender, regularly posting the fastest or second‑fastest times in the sprint events. The depth of Lander’s roster is evident in their relay strength; the Tigers have won all three relays at the last two state championships.
Havens currently holds the top qualifying time in four events and is second in two additional races. Sophomore Logan Rogers of Kemmerer will defend her 50‑ and 100‑free titles, while Buffalo’s Milan Monterastelli returns as the defending breaststroke champion, holding the season’s best times in breaststroke and butterfly and a strong showing in the IM.
Other notable 3A swimmers include Guinevere Roberson and Abby Dykes of Douglas, Charlie Boylen of Kemmerer, Milly Bentley of Lyman, and Buffalo’s Katey Jacob and Vyolet Gripp. In diving, Brooklyn White of Lander, Matison Sanchez of Rawlins, Delanie Johnson of Worland, Allison Berglund of Buffalo, and Gabby Bartschi of Kemmerer are poised to contend for the new title.
Relays will likely be dominated by Lander, which holds the fastest times in the 200‑ and 400‑free relays and sits second in the medley behind Buffalo. The Bison, Kemmerer, and Douglas will look to challenge the Tigers for relay honors. In the overall team competition, Lander is the clear favorite, with Buffalo, Douglas, and Kemmerer expected to battle for second place.
Class 4A: New Champions Emerge
Class 4A opens the door for fresh champions after four swimmers who swept seven of eight individual events last season graduated. Among the top contenders, junior Anna Baxter of Jackson returns to defend her breaststroke title and currently holds the fastest recorded time this year in four events, ranking in the top five in three more.
Lily Ormond of Riverton leads the sprint freestyle field with the fastest times in the 50, 100, and 200 free races. Danica Lamb is the standout in the 500‑free event. Additional pool contenders include Addy DeLay of Cheyenne Central, Hannah Mowry and Kloe Fjell of Sheridan, Dalia Leoni of Jackson, Luci Pfister of Riverton, Addi Graves of Laramie, Maddy Olsen of Thunder Basin, and Kaylin Uhrig of Green River.
In 4A diving, defending champion Ella Reed of Cheyenne Central remains the top scorer, having exceeded 400 points in an 11‑dive format this season. Other strong divers include Sydnie Peay of Evanston, Shirley Nordberg of Laramie, Ariana Doherty and Maddie Besich of Thunder Basin, and dark‑horse Brynlee Enevoldsen of Laramie.
Relay action promises excitement: Sheridan enters the meet with the best times in the 200‑medley and 200‑free relays, while Cheyenne Central holds the top time in the 400‑free relay. Jackson, Riverton, and Thunder Basin will also push for podium spots.
Cheyenne Central is the substantial favorite to capture the 4A team title, aiming for its first championship since 2004 under Coach Bott. The race for second place is expected to be tight among Sheridan, Jackson, Thunder Basin, Riverton, and Laramie.
What to Expect
Fans can anticipate a weekend of high‑caliber swimming and diving, with many athletes poised to set personal bests and possibly new state records. The new scoring system adds strategic depth, rewarding teams with broader talent pools. Local families and community members are encouraged to attend and support the young athletes representing schools across Wyoming.
For detailed results and live updates, visit the WyoPreps website throughout the meet.
Original reporting: K2 Radio (Casper) — read the source article.
