Wyoming girls state swimming championships begin this Thursday

Wyoming girls state swimming championships begin this Thursday

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The Wyoming High School girls’ state swimming and diving championships kick off Thursday, Friday, and Saturday in Gillette. The meet will see two classes—4A and 3A—compete in a new scoring format that awards points to the top 16 finishers in each event. WyoPreps reported on the favorites and storylines shaping what promises to be a thrilling competition.

Lander’s Grip on Class 3A

In Class 3A, the Lander Tigers aren’t just the favorite; they are the established dynasty. WyoPreps notes that a Lander victory would mark their third straight title and their fifth in the last six years, a run that includes a tie in 2021. This dominance isn’t built on a single star but on a formidable core of returning talent and unmatched depth. Vayda Havens, Emily Plaisted, Sara Kearns, and Chayse Denton form the nucleus of a team that has proven its superiority against both 3A and 4A competition all season long.

Havens, a distance freestyle specialist, enters the meet with the fastest qualifying time in four events and is ranked second in two others. Plaisted, who captured the 200 IM title in both 2024 and 2025, will be a force to be reckoned with. Kearns, meanwhile, is a top contender in the sprint freestyles. This formidable quartet is backed by a roster that has allowed Lander to sweep all three relays at the last two state championships.

But the 3A field is not without its challengers. Kemmerer sophomore Logan Rogers returns to defend her titles in the 50 and 100 free events, holding top-four times in both. Buffalo’s Milan Monterastelli adds another layer of competition, defending her breaststroke crown while boasting the top time this season in both the breaststroke and butterfly events. She is also second in the IM. WyoPreps also highlights Guinevere Roberson and Abby Dykes from Douglas, Charlie Boylen of Kemmerer, Milly Bentley from Lyman, and Buffalo’s Katey Jacob and Vyolet Gripp as swimmers capable of making their mark on the leaderboard.

The Divergent Paths of 4A

Class 4A presents a starkly different narrative. The graduation of four swimmers who won seven of the eight individual events last year has created a power vacuum and opened the door for a new generation of champions.

Jackson junior Anna Baxter stands as one of the few returning champions, looking to defend her title in the breaststroke. She has been the fastest swimmer in the state this season, recording the top time in four events and landing in the top five in three others. Riverton’s Lily Ormond has emerged as a force in the freestyle events, holding the fastest times in the 50, 100, and 200 free races. Danica Lamb leads the way in the 500 free.

Cheyenne Central, under Coach Bott, enters as the substantial favorite, with a legitimate shot at winning its first 4A title since 2004. Cheyenne Central holds the top time in the 400 free relay and is expected to challenge Sheridan, which has the best times in the 200-medley and 200-freestyle relays. The real battle, however, will be for second place. Sheridan, Jackson, Thunder Basin, Riverton, and Laramie are all in the mix, separated by razor-thin margins.

The new scoring format to 16 places adds a whole new level of depth to the team competition. It’s no longer just about getting your top swimmers on the podium; it’s about filling the lanes behind them and scoring every

While swimming captures the headlines, the diving competition will crown new champions in both classes. Lander’s Brooklyn White, Rawlins’s Matison Sanchez, Worland’s Delanie Johnson, Buffalo’s Allison Berglund, and Kemmerer’s Gabby Bartschi lead the 3A field. In 4A, Cheyenne Central’s Ella Reed, the defending champion, is the clear favorite. She is the only diver to score over 400 points in an 11-dive format this season. She will be challenged by Evanston’s Sydnie Peay, Laramie’s Shirley Nordberg, and Thunder Basin’s Ariana Doherty and Maddie Besich, with Laramie’s Brynlee Enevoldsen potentially emerging as a dark horse.

The shift to 16-competitor scoring is a significant rule change that will impact team dynamics. The format, which awards points to every finalist, rewards teams with superior depth across the board. Teams like Lander, known for their ability to score in multiple events, are perfectly positioned to capitalize.

The swimmers and divers in Gillette this weekend are competing in the Wyoming High School girls’ state championships.

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