The Kemmerer High School boys’ swimming and diving team hosted the 3A South Conference Championship over the weekend, placing fourth as a team in a loaded field, and setting the stage for the 3A State Swimming and Diving Championships later this month.

Lander won the team title with 468 points, followed by Lyman with 277 points. Rawlins was third with 162 points, followed by Kemmerer with 140 points; Sublette County rounded out the field, with 102 points.

“No new qualifiers, but just tremendous efforts from all the boys this weekend,” said Kemmerer head coach Amanda Aimone. “They just performed so well. I couldn’t ask for more out of them.”

Malachi Villarreal and Bowman Sandall led the charge for the Rangers, with both earning All-Conference honors.

Villarreal won both the 200 meter freestyle (2:02.04) and the 400 meter freestyle (4:21.41), the latter setting a school, pool and conference record.

“Malachi had a great weekend,” Aimone said. “This was his best conference meet he’s had yet as a Ranger. He set a pool, school and conference record in the 400 free, beating the conference record from 1987 by more than 20 seconds. I really appreciated his composure during his swims. He is right where we need him to be.”

Sandall found himself surrounded by a host of Lander divers all weekend, but still posted his best-ever score (444.0) in the 11-dive format to finish second, and earn All-Conference honors. Sandall also made it to the podium in the 100 breaststroke, placing sixth (1:21.51).

“That is no easy feat to dive alone amongst all Lander divers,” Aimone said. “He did a great job. This was his best 11-dive performance of his career. Before that 444.00, he had never broken 400 points. All-Conference is great, as well. Just really proud of how competitive he was this weekend.” 

Rangers who earned a spot in Saturday’s finals included Jacob Platt in the 50 freestyle (11th, 29.06); Gabe Platt in the 200 individual medley (10th, 3:00.64) and the 100 butterfly (12th, 1:25.41); and Jade Villarreal in the 100 breaststroke (9th, 1:25.60) and the 100 butterfly (11th, 1:23.57).

“Jacob is really coming along,” Aimone said. “He hadn’t gone a 28 in meters in the 50 free yet, so that is a career-best for him. Although Bowman and Thomas did not swim their personal best, they did a great job swimming tough, and getting points for our team. The rest of our Rangers did awesome, as well. Jade Villarreal and Gabe Platt both placed in two individual events for us, and that’s important when concerning team goals. Charlie Lozier also swam a season best in the 50 free from his split in the 200 free relay.”

In the relay events, the 200 medley relay team of Malachi Villarreal, Bowman Sandall, Thomas Symons and Jacob Platt finished third (2:03.70), while Thomas Symons, Charlie Lozier, Jade Villarreal and Gabe Platt placed fifth in the 200 freestyle relay (2:10.21).

The 400 freestyle relay team of Malachi Villarreal, Jacob Platt, Bowman Sandall and Gabe Platt placed second (4:21.89).

“I just was so happy with the boys,” Aimone said. “They work so hard, and it is paying off in these big meets like conference. I can’t wait to see what is going to happen these next two weeks.”

For the Rangers still hoping to hit a state-qualifying mark, they’ll have one more opportunity to do so at Thursday’s Last Chance Meet in Green River. The 3A State Swimming and Diving Championships are scheduled for Feb. 20-21 in Gillette.

3A South Conference Championship

Team Scores

1. Lander 468, 2. Lyman 277, 3. Rawlins 162, 4. Kemmerer 140, 5. Sublette County 102

200 Meter Medley Relay

3. Malachi Villarreal, Bowman Sandall, Thomas Symons, Jacob Platt 2:03.70

200 Meter Freestyle

1. Malachi Villarreal 2:02.04,

200 Meter IM

10. Gabe Platt 3:00.64

50 Meter Freestyle

11. Jacob Platt 29.06, 17. Thomas Symons 31.34, 21. Charlie Lozier 36.14

1 Mtr Diving

2. Bowman Sandall 444.0

100 Meter Butterfly

7. Thomas Symons 1:16.03, 11. Jade Villarreal 1:23.57, 12. Gabe Platt 1:25.41, 13. Jacob Platt 1:07.63

100 Meter Freestyle

12. Jacob Platt 1:08.69, 18. Charlie Lozier 1:26.44

400 Meter Freestyle

1. Malachi Villarreal 4:21.41

200 Meter Freestyle Relay

5. Thomas Symons, Charlie Lozier, Jade Villarreal, Gabe Platt 2:10.21

100 Meter Breaststroke

6. Bowman Sandall 1:21.51, 9. Jade Villarreal 1:25.60

400 Meter Freestyle Relay

4. Malachi Villarreal, Jacob Platt, Bowman Sandall, Gabe Platt 4:21.89