Linkin Lucero
The Green River High School Lady Wolves Swimming and Diving team had an impressive showing over the weekend, competing first in a dual meet against Lander on Friday, followed by a strong performance at the Filly Invite in Casper on Saturday. While individual swimmers stood out, the weekend was defined by the entire team's resilience, progress, and determination to push through challenges and deliver strong performances.
During the Lander dual meet, the Lady Wolves faced tough competition but rose to the occasion. Standout swimmer Tavia Arnell continued her strong season by claiming first in the 100-yard Butterfly with a time of 1:01.94. She also claimed another victory in the 200-yard Individual Medley with a time of 2:15.42, rounding out a strong Friday for her. Zoie Gilmore also reached a significant milestone as she finally qualified for the State meet in the 500 Freestyle. Gilmore's perseverance and hard work throughout the season paid off as she hit the qualifying time, adding a key contribution to the team's overall success.
Even though the team didn't secure a win overall, Head Coach Colleen Seiloff emphasized the importance of pushing through adversity.
"The girls have been battling some illness, and we were a bit flat on Friday," Seiloff said. "But considering the circumstances, they swam well, and we saw some strong performances across the board."
On Saturday, the Lady Wolves competed against seven other teams at the more rigorous Filly Invite. Despite fatigue from the previous day, the team delivered competitive times across multiple events. While individual swimmers like Arnell shone with her time of 59.86 in the 100-yard Butterfly, the overall team effort was the key focus of the day. Arnell and Smith both broke pool records during the meet.
Senior Tanith Smith had a standout swim in the 50-yard Freestyle, finishing with a time of 25.95, contributing to the team's first-place finish in the 400-yard Freestyle Relay alongside teammates Haley Clevenger, Peyton Murray and Arnell. The relay team clocked in at 3:57.59, exemplifying their ability to come together and compete in one of the weekend's most challenging events.
Junior Kaylin Uhrig also stood out, winning the 100-yard Breaststroke on Friday at the Lander Dual with a time of 1:14.43 and continuing to perform consistently throughout the weekend. Her ability to bring strong performances in both individual and relay events has been a critical factor in the Lady Wolves' ongoing success this season.
Junior Haley Clevenger made her mark in the distance events, placing second in the 500-yard Freestyle during the Lander Dual. She continued to be a steady contributor on Saturday, anchoring the team's efforts in the longer races with her endurance and determination.
The weekend's highlight for the team was Gilmore's long-awaited qualification for the State meet. After weeks of narrowly missing the mark, her qualifying swim was a significant moment for both her and the team. Seiloff praised Gilmore's persistence, noting that this achievement reflects the hard work that the entire team has been putting in.
"Zoie has been working so hard for this, and to finally see her qualify for State was a huge accomplishment for her and the team," Seiloff said.
Gilmore's qualification adds depth to the Lady Wolves' State team roster and provides further motivation for the remaining swimmers to continue their push towards State qualifications. Reflecting on the weekend's performances, Seiloff remained positive about the team's progress.
"We had solid swims, and even with some challenges, we're progressing well," Seiloff remarked. "Our focus is on improving meet by meet, and that's exactly what the girls are doing."
The coach's emphasis on improvement over time highlights the team's dedication to pushing through obstacles and continuing to grow as the season progresses.
With swimmers like Arnell, Smith, Gilmore, Clevenger, and Uhrig performing well and the entire team showing steady improvement, the Green River Lady Wolves are building momentum as they head deeper into their season. Wright's state qualification adds to the team's excitement, while athletes like Arnell and Smith continue to lead by example. Coach Seiloff's focus on consistent improvement and teamwork is paying off, as the Lady Wolves prepare for their upcoming meets with confidence.
The Lady Wolves' blend of individual excellence and collective determination has put them in a strong position as they aim to finish the season strong and bring even more swimmers to the state championships.
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