Lady Dogie swimmers improve across the board

The Newcastle Dogie girls swim team faced a tough test this past weekend, making its first long road trip of the season with back-to-back competitions in Cody. Despite limited practice time and the fatigue that comes with traveling, the Dogies showed steady progress across the board.

“This weekend was our first long road trip, which gave us a good idea of what conference and state will look like,” head coach Doug Scribner said. “The challenge for the team was to be competitive after the long travel and the short week of practice.”

In Thursday’s Cody Triangular, sophomore Allie Lunstra led the way for Newcastle. She qualified for state in both the 200 freestyle and the 200 individual medley, and later added another qualifying time in the 100 butterfly with a 1:13.50. Scribner said her consistency is helping to set the pace for the rest of the squad.

First-year diver Madalyn Francis also continued her improvement, raising her score to 120.00 in the 1-meter competition. 

“As a first-year diver, Madalyn was able to improve her score over last week in Gillette,” Scribner noted.

The Dogies saw encouraging swims from their seniors as well. Both Kathryn Huber and Veronica Ayers trimmed time in all their events, with Huber touching in 38.89 in the 50 free and Ayers lowering her mark in the 100 free to 1:36.61. Scribner said their leadership has been vital.

“Seniors Kathryn Huber and Veronica Ayers were also able to improve their times in all of their swims,” he said.

Newcastle’s relay teams gained valuable experience, highlighted by the 400 freestyle team of Shelby Smith, Huber, Lunstra and Ayers, which finished in 5:31.49.

The Dogies turned around quickly to compete again Friday at the Terry Bartlett Invitational, also hosted in Cody. Once again, Lunstra carried momentum into the water, finishing sixth in the 200 free with a 2:18.37 and third in the 100 butterfly at 1:10.17. Francis also gained confidence with another improved diving score of 124.90.

Huber and Ayers continued to make progress in their sprint events, both lowering their times in the 50 free, while younger teammates Jaydenn Nelson and Natalie Dean chipped in with solid performances of their own.

“In spite of the challenges, the girls posted several improvements in most of the events they swam,” Scribner said.

With the first big trip behind them, the Dogies are showing signs of growth and setting themselves up for more success as the season moves toward the championship meets.

“This next weekend the team will be traveling to Worland and Powell. That will give us another chance to compete against other teams in our conference,” Scribner said.

Dogie Results

Cody Tri (Sept. 4)

• Allie Lunstra – 1st, 200 IM (2:44.90, state qualifier); 1st, 100 Butterfly (1:13.50, state qualifier)
• Allie Lunstra – 200 Freestyle (qualified for state)
• Madalyn Francis – 7th, 1-Meter Diving (120.00 points, season best)
• Kathryn Huber – 9th, 50 Freestyle (38.89); 9th, 100 Freestyle (1:32.26)
• Veronica Ayers – 6th, 200 Freestyle (3:55.04); 10th, 100 Freestyle (1:36.61)
• Shelby Smith – 4th, 50 Freestyle (31.87); 2nd, 500 Freestyle (7:03.92)
• Jaydenn Nelson – 6th, 50 Freestyle (33.41); 5th, 100 Freestyle (1:13.22)
• Natalie Dean – 7th, 200 Freestyle (4:24.88)
• Relays – 200 Free Relay (2:30.70); 400 Free Relay (5:31.49)

Terry Bartlett Invitational (Sept. 5, Cody)

• Allie Lunstra – 6th, 200 Freestyle (2:18.37, state qualifier); 3rd, 100 Butterfly (1:10.17, state qualifier)
• Madalyn Francis – 16th, 1-Meter Diving (124.90 points, season best)
• Kathryn Huber – 23rd, 50 Freestyle (38.58)
• Veronica Ayers – 24th, 50 Freestyle (38.99); 20th, 100 Freestyle (1:35.89)
• Jaydenn Nelson – 21st, 50 Freestyle (36.98)
• Natalie Dean – 30th, 50 Freestyle (44.51); 22nd, 100 Backstroke (2:19.48)
• Shelby Smith – 13th, 100 Backstroke (1:20.32)
• Relays – 200 Free Relay (2:22.38); 400 Free Relay (5:31.65)