The Kemmerer High School boys’ swimming and diving team competed at the 3A South Conference Meet in Lander over the weekend, placing fourth as a team, with one individual champion and five podium finishes.

Lander won the team title with 386 points, followed by Green River in second with 255 and Evanston in third, with 186. Kemmerer was fourth, with 144 points, while Lyman rounded out the Top 5, with 118 points.

“Everything went great,” said KHS head coach Amanda Aimone. “We had a fun and exciting meet.”

Ranger senior Seth Krell won the 100 backstroke to earn conference champion honors, posting a time of 56.52; he also placed third in the 50 freestyle, with a time of 23.42.

“It was a great achievement for Seth, and one that was a long time coming,” Aimone said. “I was really happy for him.”

Ranger freshman Malachi Villarreal had an outstanding meet, finishing third in the 200 freestyle with a time of 1:56.33, and fourth in the 500 freestyle, posting a time of 5:12.99. His time in the 500 free broke a school record that had stood for 18 years.

“Malachi also swam great,” Aimone said. “He broke an 18-year-old record in the 500. That is really great for a freshman, because it tends to be the older kids that break records. So that is a great accomplishment, and I can't wait to see what he might do at state.”

Camden Killian swam to a fourth-place finish in the 100 breaststroke, posting a time of 1:10.20; he also placed seventh in the 100 butterfly, with a time of 1:02.79. Colter Krell was eighth in the 100 breaststroke, with a time of 1:12.75, while Connor Dietrich placed 12th in the 200 individual medley, with a time of 2:27.09.

Bowman Sandall placed ninth in diving, with a score of 313.80, and ninth in the 100 breaststroke (1:14.05).

“Camden Killian also had a great conference meet,” Aimone said. “He placed Top 8 in both the 100 fly and 100 breast. I was so happy for him. I also have to give a shoutout to Colter Krell and Bowman Sandall. They both placed in the 100 breast with Camden, and that is no easy feat, being freshmen.”

In the relay events, the 200 medley team of Colter Krell, Bowman Sandall, Connor Dietrich and Calvin Erickson placed fifth, while the 200 freestyle team of Seth Krell, Malachi Villarreal, Camden Killian and Colter Krell placed sixth. The 400 freestyle relay team of Malachi Villarreal, Connor Dietrich, Seth Krell and Camden Killian finished fourth.

The Rangers will have a Last Chance Meet in Pinedale on Thursday, then travel to Gillette Feb. 16-17 for the 3A State Swimming and Diving Championships.

“The Last Chance Meet can be really exciting,” Aimone said. “We could get some more guys qualified, which would be really exciting. We will start to rest the kids and that will help. They have been a fantastic group this entire year, and I can't wait to see what they will do.”

3A South Conference Finals

Team Scores

1. Lander 386, 2. Green River 255, 3. Evanston 186, 4. Kemmerer 144, 5. Lyman 118, 6. Rawlins 111, 7. Sublette County 8                                  

200 Medley Relay

5. Colter Krell, Bowman Sandall, Connor Dietrich, Calvin Erickson 1:57.51

200 Freestyle

3. Malachi Villarreal 1:56.33

200 IM

12. Connor Dietrich 2:27.09

50 Freestyle

3. Seth Krell 23.42

1 Mtr Diving

9. Bowman Sandall 313.80

100 Butterfly

7. Camden Killian 1:02.79, 12. Connor Dietrich 1:09.81

500 Freestyle

4. Malachi Villarreal 5:12.99

200 Freestyle Relay

6. Seth Krell, Malachi Villarreal, Camden Killian, Colter Krell 1:40.70

100 Backstroke

1. Seth Krell 56.52

100 Breaststroke

4. Camden Killian 1:10.20, 8. Colter Krell 1:12.75, 9. Bowman Sandall 1:14.05

400 Freestyle Relay

4. Malachi Villarreal, Connor Dietrich, Seth Krell, Camden Killian 3:40.38