Glacier sends 22 swimmers to state, Flathead qualifies 13
Glacier has qualified a record 22 swimmers in its second season, while Flathead will have 13 competing this weekend at the High School State Meet in Great Falls.
Competition begins today at 11 a.m. with preliminary races in all 11 events at the C.M. Russell High School pool.
Those placing sixth through 12th advance to Saturday's consolation finals. Swimmers first through sixth are in the finals.
Glacier's boys are looking to improve on last year's seventh-place finish. Same holds true for the Wolfpack girls, who came in eighth.
The Flathead girls wound up 12th at state in 2008, and the boys 15th.
Glacier had eight swimmers at state last year and Flathead seven.
The Missoula Hellgate boys and CMR girls are defending state champions.
Glacier's Phillip Rempe is the top returning swimmer for both schools. He finished fourth at state in 2008 in the 200 individual medley and fifth in the 100 butterfly.
Glacier's Claire Morison also placed in two events last year - 100 butterfly and 200 freestyle - finishing sixth in both.
For Flathead, Jacob Berry placed sixth in the 100 freestyle.
"He's got all the records, almost, for Glacier," Flathead/Glacier coach Brandon Rannebarger said of Rempe. "He's definitely dropping time (at state). He's maintained his health and his work ethic."
Rempe will compete in one individual event - 100 butterfly - and swim on three relays - 200 medley, 200 freestyle and 400 freestyle.
Health has been a big issue for both Flathead and Glacier the final two weeks of the season. Swimmers at both schools have been battling the flu bug, and the two programs have also lost several individuals for academic reasons and other issues.
"We're bleeding swimmers (right now)," Rannebarger said.
"We had a really good look the middle of the season."
The team's early morning workouts have also resulted in a few swimmers leaving the team, Rannebarger said.
"It's really gonna hurt us (for state)," he said.
Especially in the relays, where teams score a lot of points. Some of the swimmers no longer with the programs were key members on the relays.
"It's really difficult right now," he said.
"Next year we'll tweak some things, change practice times (to after school)."
Rannebarger had 64 swimmers to begin the season.
Despite the distractions, the coach remains optimistic the season will finish on a high note.
"I think getting there and having some good swims (will help)," he said. "Not letting the illness be an excuse."
Rannebarger said Glacier senior captain Tessa Heck has done a marvelous job keeping the swimmers at both schools enthused and together.
"A phenomenal leader for us," he said. "She has been the go-to person. She'll organize the captains from both teams. She's a great person, has great skills. We'll definitely miss her."
Heck's best individual event is the 100 backstroke. She'll also swim the 200 and 400 freestyle relays.
Berry is one of the several swimmers who have missed practice, and school, for health reasons.
"He's battling a little bit of the illness," Rannebarger said.
"He was the first one to get tested for influenza A. He's lost 10 pounds. He's been a competitor all season long. We don't expect anything less (this weekend)."
Berry will swim the 50 and 100 freestyle, along with the 200 medley and 200 freestyle relays.
Glacier's Claire Morrison, a senior, will wrap up her career by competing in four events - 100 butterfly and three relays. Rannebarger figures Morrison can drop three seconds in the 100 butterfly, which could place her as high as second.
Glacier junior Kelsey Iblings will swim the 100 breaststroke and three relays.
Flathead sophomore Ashley Judd is expected to be a finalist in the 100 breaststroke and 200 freestyle.
Rempe, Iblings and Judd were all state champs this past season for the Kalispell Aquatic Team Swim.
Flathead (13 qualifiers)
Jacob Berry
Grace Hegger
Ashley Judd
Johannes Junge
Liz Kruse
Ben Mason
Michael Scaccia
Morgan Shaeffer
Luis Silva
Anika Thorderson
Lars Thorderson
Karolina Tvrznikova
John Zorn
Glacier (22)
John Ahles
Andrea Belleville
Molly Benedeto
Kyle Brady
Sam Burch
Cam Clark
Lacie Fisher
Sammie Hammett
Tessa Heck
Brian Hoffman
Kelsey Iblings
Samantha King
Jessica McCormick
Claire Morison
Patrick Phattharaampornchai
Philip Phattharaampornchai
Alec Reitzel
Phil Rempe
Tyler Russell
Maxie Scroggs
Jacob Williams