Glacier swimmers off to fast start
The Glacier Wolfpack swim team is experienced, deep, and ready to compete for a state title this winter.
The Wolfpack started the season off strong with the girls team taking home third place at the Kalispell Invite, and the boys bringing home a second place. Great Falls was the winner in both categories.
The girls 200 medley relay team took the win, clocking a time less than one second off of their record. The team consists of senior Maggie Dean, and juniors Olivia Gibbons, Hanna Vornbrock, and team captain Madeleine McGaughy.
"Relays are super important in high school because they are double points,” coach Karen Bouda said.
Three girls would place in individual events as well: McGaughy winning the 200 freestyle, Gibbons winning the 500 freestyle and placing second in the 50 freestyle, and Vornbrock finishing third in the 200 individual medley.
On the boys side, Glacier features many athletes who placed at the Kalispell Invite.
Boys team captain junior Jack Melnick took second place in the 100 freestyle, Sophomore Ed McNeil won the 100 breaststroke, and senior Jude Flake finished second in the 100 backstroke and third in the 50 freestyle.
“Jude Flake exceeded expectations,” Bouda said. “He's had an 18 month break from swimming and just got dialed in.”
The boys team also features Isaac Keim, who joined the team just three days after competing on the football field for a state championship with the Wolfpack.
Across town, Bouda is confident in a Flathead group that sees three seniors mixed in with new talent.
"We have 12 Boys out this season,” said Bouda. “In 2018 they took third place with just six boys.”
Seniors Maverick Huestis and Harley Osiecky, and sophomore Miles Flake lead the way as returners for the Braves, who finished 8th in the team standings at the Kalispell Invite.
Joining the team this season also are a pair of brothers who Bouda says will make an instant impact: senior SIlas Eayrs and freshman Brogan Eayrs.
"We expect Flathead boys to come on stronger as the season progresses,” Bouda said following the Kalispell Invite. We've got some depth, but we're sharing some of these swimmers with Speech and Debate.”
Senior Bethany Armstrong leads the girls team, which features just three swimmers this season.
The girls team finished tied for 10th at the opening meet.
Both teams are back in the pool on January 5th for their next meet in Polson after the scheduled Missoula Invite was canceled due to the UM football team’s playoff run.