HHS swimmers make waves

It will be another big day in the water for the Havre High swim team. But this time, it'll be up against some big names in the state of Montana and the Blue Ponies are excited to head to the Bozeman Meet Saturday in the Bozeman Swim Center.

There has been a lot of great highlights for the HHS swim team so far in the season, but this time around it will be out in a more competitive environment among the Class AA elite. Even so, this is a meet many of the Havre swimmers look forward to within the season. HHS head coach Bill Kilgore is looking forward to what his team can accomplish, especially since they will be treading some new waters.

"The kids are excited to go to Bozeman and get a chance to swim against some of the AA schools," Kilgore said. "A meet like this can be a real eye opener for the kids when they see some of the best swimmers Montana has to offer. I've got most of the kids swimming events they don't normally swim, so coach Cammon and I can begin to focus in on just what stroke and distance each athlete should be swimming to best help the team in future meets and especially our state meet."

On top of that, the state meet in Great Falls is now just a month away, too, making this meet a very crucial one for the Ponies. It is never easy going up against big Class AA teams like Bozeman, Great Falls and CMR, so Saturday will put the ponies in an intense environment.

Most of the Ponies will be swimming in events that they are not used to, as well, which will bring about a challenge of its own. But Kilgore and his team have done some amazing things in the face of adversity and there will be a lot to look forward to in Bozeman. On top of that, Kilgore has his team putting in some big work as the end of the season draws closer.

"Right now we are in the heart of our season and just doing our best to work hard at race pace and focusing on the little everyday things that swimmers get lazy with during the season," Kilgore said. "So we try to focus on very specific items daily like a tight streamline off of every wall, not breathing every stroke, or proper hand placement. There's a million things to think about while one is swimming, so we try to limit points of emphasis to one or two things each day. Once the muscle memory is there, we move on to the next points."

Kilgore has seen a lot from his team already, too. When it came to last week in Hardin, where the team competed in the Class A Meet, there was a good list of swimmers who stood out to Kilgore. Whether they are a experienced upperclassmen or a young swimmer ready to put in hard work, Kilgore saw it all.

"As far as the swimmers go, there were many great ones and too many to list here, but freshman Willow Riggins scored points for us in a strong 200 freestyle and Emme Lines cut major time off of the same event," Kilgore said. "Those two will help lead the future of Havre Blue Pony Swimming if they continue to work hard. Megan Miller was an absolute warrior for swimming what is arguably the two hardest events, the 200 individual medley (50 meters of each stroke) and the 100 butterfly. Megan swam both of them for our team in an incredible sacrifice without the slightest of complaints. Tori Messineo looked fantastic in the long 500 freestyle."

Then Kilgore mentioned some newer swimmers that have impressed.

"Some of the newer girls really looked strong, as well," Kilgore said. "Navelle Rameles continues to impress in the 100 backstroke and senior newcomer Abby Niedert just keeps getting better and better each meet. Grace Crantz is new to high school swimming but has shown amazing strength and potential by being willing to swim some of the harder events for her team."

Even with a lot of the girls standing out in the water, Kilgore gives a lot of credit to what the boys team has done so far in the season, as well.

"I've mentioned a lot about the girls team, but the boys showed up with confidence and ability, as well," Kilgore said. "Jacob Miller is nearing the top of his game with us and really showed it on a strong 200 individual medley in an event he normally doesn't swim, the 100 backstroke. Jacob is a captain of this team because he is always willing to swim whatever I need him to swim for the best of the team. Carson Sandstrom looked awesome in his 200 freestyle, despite the week of hard work and holiday distractions. He is a freshman looking to lead the Ponies to great things in the future.

"Senior Troy Powell has shown over and over this year that he is willing to do whatever he can to help our team," Kilgore added. "This meet he came through for us and scored much needed points in the 500 freestyle, an event he normally doesn't swim. Another fearless and selfless swimmer at the meet was Wyatt Hagstrom. Wyatt swam the 200 individual medley, an event he was very reluctant to swim, but swam his heart out for this team. Hiram Cammon swam to a first-place finish in the 100 yard breaststroke in an impressive fashion, and really came through for his team."

With all those swimmers helping make up the hard-working Havre team, there will be some exciting moments Saturday when the Ponies swim in the Bozeman Invite.