The Big Sandy Swim Team ended their season with a 4th place finish in the Class A division at the Montana Federation State Swim Meet. The Chinook Lions, who are traditionally a Class AA team, took first place honors, followed by Glendive and Conrad. According to coach Travis Baumann, it all came down to numbers and big performances. The Barracudas were the smallest team in Class A and some rival swimmers posted huge gains in the pool. While the team did not bring home a trophy this year, qualifying for Class A is an achievement that makes Coach Baumann proud of his team.
The Barracudas saw some impressive performances, with Brady Pleninger setting two federation record and the 15-19 boys relay team broke two pool records. Henry Merrill swam to his first state championship in the 25 fly and Kody Strutz won the 100 breast. Earning high point honors were Henry Merrill who placed 5th in the 8-under boys with 29 points. Kody Strutz placed 5th in the 13-14 boys 35 points. Three senior boys placed, with Kade Strutz taking 5th with 32 points, Cam Schwarzbach placed 3rd with 34 points and Brady Pleninger tied for 1st place with Brandon Machart from Scobey, who both scored 42 points.
The state meet was also the last for two senior swimmers: Grace Finke and Tyler Schwarzbach. Tyler finished his season scoring 12 points for the Barracudas and posted a combined 32 seconds improvement in his three races. Grace was unable to complete in the state meet, but she joined the other senior swimmers from the Montana Federation in being honored by the traditional senior walk.
The end of the year celebration for the Barracudas will be held August 8th at 8:00 p.m. at the park next to the city pool. The community is invited to attend. Desserts will be served and the year's highlights will be shown.
Individual results:
8-under girls: Cassia Butler: 50 free – 24th; Astrid Ketchum: 25 free – 3rd, 50 free – 5th, 25 back – 10th; Mackenzie Werk: 25 free – 17th, 50 free – 14th, 25 back – 9th
8-under boys: Henry Merrill: 25 free – 6th, 50 free – 5th, 25 fly – 1st
9-10 girls: Harley LaBuda: 100 IM – 17th, 50 fly – 18th; Keirra Oats: 50 free – 15th, 100 free – 20th, 50 back – 15th
9-10 boys: Dolan SunChild: 100 free – 18th, 50 back – 13th, 50 fly – 13th
11-12 girls: Jai Baumann: 200 IM – 17th, 50 breast – 12th, 50 back – 14th; Kaya Demontiney: 50 free – 24th, 50 breast – 15th; Loni Ophus: 100 free – 23rd, 50 back – 21st, 200 free – 21st
11-12 boys: Lane Demontiney 50 free – 6th, 100 free – 5th, 50 back – 5th; Hunter Moore: 50 free – 23rd, 100 free – 23rd 50 back – 16th; Ryder Oats: 100 free – 13th, 50 back – 9th, 200 free – 13th; Darrell SunChild: 100 free – 11th, 50 fly – 13th, 200 free – 10th
13-14 girls: Malaysia Baumann: 50 free – 15th, 100 breast – 17th, 100 free – 12th; Daisy LaBuda: 50 free – 6th, 100 free – 6th, 50 fly – 2nd; Laynee Ophus: 50 free – 17th 100 free – 11th, 100 back – 11th; Caydence Pleninger: 200 IM – 9th, 200 free – 8th, 100 fly – 6th
13-14 boys: Tannin Baumann: 50 free – 12th, 100 free – 15th, 100 back – 9th; Kody Strutz: 50 free – 2nd, 100 breast – 1st, 100 free -4th
15-19 girls: Jozlyn Baumann: 200 IM – 9th, 100 breast – 8th, 100 back – 10th
15-19 boys: Dillin Geyer: 200 IM – 8th, 50 fly – 9th, 100 fly – 7th; Brady Pleninger: 50 free – 1st (***new federation record***), 100 free – 1st (***new federation record***), 100 back – 1st; Cam Schwarzbach: 50 free – 3rd, 100 free – 2nd, 400 free – 2nd; Tyler Schwarzbach: 100 free – 11th, 100 back – 7th, 400 free – 9th; Kade Strutz: 200 IM – 2nd, 100 breast – 2nd, 50 fly – 5th; Elijah Wagoner: 50 free – 22nd, 100 free – 23rd
Relay Results:
9-10 girls 100 free – 10th, 100 medley - DQ (Ella Idleman, Harley LaBuda, Mackenzie Werk, Astrid Ketchum); 11-12 girls 200 free – 10th (Loni Ophus, Kaya Demontiney, Jai Baumann, Keirra Oats); 11-12 boys 200 free – 3rd (Ryder Oats, Hunter Moore, Darrell SunChild, Lane Demontiney); 13-14 girls 200 free – 4th, 200 medley – 5th (Caydence Pleninger, Malaysia Baumann, Laynee Ophus, Daisy LaBuda) 15-19 boys 200 free – 1st (***new pool record***), 200 medley – 1st (***new pool record***) (Dillin Geyer, Kade Strutz, Cam Schwarzbach, Brady Pleninger)
