Flathead, Glacier swim teams primed for state meet

Swimmers from Flathead and Glacier have most of the events covered when the state swim meet begins this morning at Great Falls High School.

Glacier will have 11 individuals in the water for the two-day event to Flathead's eight.

Swimming starts 11 a.m. both days.

Preliminaries are on tap for today, while Saturday will feature the finals. Swimmers posting the top six times today move on to the finals. Swimmers notching sixth through 12th best times will be in the consolation finals.

C.M. Russell and Helena High are the defending state champions for girls and boys, respectively.

Glacier's boys finished fourth last year at state, which was held in Butte, with the FHS boys 12th.

Glacier's girls placed 11th and Flathead 15th.

Glacier's Logan Streit is the top returning state placer for both schools. The junior swam on two winning relays - 200 and 400 freestyle - for the Wolfpack and placed third in the 100 freestyle.

He also swam on Glacier's third-place 200 medley relay team.

"He's our freestyler, our sprinter," Flathead/Glacier coach Brandon Rannebarger said.

"He's looking pretty good even though he's been tired the last few meets. He's due for a fast time again. With some rest and taper, at state he'll explode and have some nice times."

Streit will swim the 50 and 100 freestyle events along with the 200 and 400 freestyle relays and 200 medley relay.

Rannebarger is also expecting a big weekend from senior Jacob Williams. He's competing at state for the fourth time.

"He's been dropping our jaws the last few meets, doing phenomenal times in the 200 and 500 (freestyle)," Rannebarger said.

"He's become our distance specialist," Rannebarger added.

"It doesn't matter what distance he does, he just doesn't tire out."

He will also swim all three relays.

John Ahles, 100 breaststroke; Alex Augusta, 100 freestyle; Tanner Freese, 50 and 100 freestyle; and Kyler Johnson, 50 freestyle and 100 breaststroke; will also swim on the relay teams.

Glacier has a total of six boys entered.

The Glacier girls will again be led by some familiar names - Maxie Scroggs, MaKenna Siebenaler and Maddie Walters.

Scroggs has qualified in the 100 butterfly and 100 backstroke and both freestyle relays. Siebenaler will do the 50 and 200 freestyle plus both freestyle relays. And Walters is on both freestyle relays plus the 100 breaststroke and 500 freestyle.

Scroggs has "her senior cut (time) in the 100 backstroke," Rannebarger said.

"She's so talented. This is her third state tournament."

On Walters ...

"Talk about hard worker ... she is," Rannebarger said.

"She's qualified for zones. At this state meet, we look for some nice distance swims.

"Her work ethic is awesome," Rannebarger continued.

"She will do two different practices a day, putting in some major yards during the week."

Rannebarger said Siebenaler is looking exceptionally strong with her freestyle stroke.

"Very, very talented and determined," he said.

"She has a nose for racing. It doesn't matter who she is going up against, she just likes to attack the water and let the clock decide the outcome."

Joining those three at state for the Wolfpack are Sara Burch, 50 freestyle, 100 backstroke and both freestyle relays; and Jenna Kintzler, 100 backstroke, 200 individual medley and both freestyle relays.

The FHS girls have six state qualifiers to just two for the boys.

"This year, Flathead did a good job of getting more girls," Rannebarger said.

"We're still hurting on the guy's, side, but they are solid."

Swimming for the boys are Ben Mason, 100 butterfly and 100 backstroke, and Michael Scaccia, 50 freestyle and 100 breaststroke.

"Hard working," Rannebarger said of his duo.

"I'm excited to see how Ben does in his butterfly and Michael in his breaststroke."

Scaccia did not swim last year for the Braves.

"Ben is starting to hit some really, really good times," Rannebarger said.

"By making those adjustments (lengthening out his walls) and starting to taper, he will drop a boat load of time (this weekend)."

Mason is competing in his fourth state swim meet.

"He's been a great asset with his leadership, staying positive and influencing other swimmers," Rannebarger said.

The coach said the FHS girls "did a really, really good job getting numbers up by recruiting their friends. Leading the way was Hailie Maas with her leadership."

Mass, a junior, is a returning state participant. She's also a team captain.

She will swim all three relays, plus the 50 and 100 freestyle.

Mckenzie Lane will do the 50 freestyle and 100 butterfly in addition to three relays.

"She's looking real powerful right now," Rannebarger said.

"She's using underwater to her advantage in the butterfly.

"She's more focused in practice," he added.

"I think it will pay big dividends at state."

Lauren Daffern will swim the 50 freestyle and 100 backstroke and both freestyle relays for the Bravettes.

Sara Jensen will do the same two relays, plus the 200 medley relay and 100 breaststroke.

Johanna Ward is on three relays and will swim the 500 freestyle.

Jenna Wilke is on three relays in addition to the 50 freestyle and 100 backstroke.