Challenges are doorways to excellence and you have to take it one stroke at a time.

The Lady Panther swim team earned 230 points at conference in Lander on Oct. 19-20, placing third behind Lyman with 235 points and Lander with 247 points.

The team earned a total of 29 personal records; some with their state cuts or ended up qualifying for state, being contested in Laramie Nov. 2-3.

“I didn’t do exactly how I wanted to do. My season was amazing, I [made some personal bests] almost every meet,” sophomore Maddi Hackenberg said. “I’ve improved a lot since last year; I have been doing higher DD (degree of difficulty) dives and they have [become] prettier.”

Junior Sidney O’Brien earned a personal best of 1:05.94 during preliminaries, placing her in first place. She fought to maintain her spot, but fell short and placed second in finals.

“It’s hard work but worth it in the long run,” O’Brien said. “I’ve improved so much this year and I’ve been able to qualify for state in events I never swam last year. I’m excited for state to see where I can place.”

The season has had many challenges, but the Lady Panthers pulled through and will continue to just keep swimming.

Sophomore Elizabeth Liggett is this year’s conference champ in the 500 yard freestyle with a personal best of a 5:46.66, leading the 1-2-3 sweep with Lady Panthers sophomore Addison Moretti and junior Anna Fuller. Liggett was only 1.3 seconds off Powell Hall of Fame status (5:45.30).

“I think we did pretty good, considering the many wins we’ve had,” Liggett said. “It was fun watching my teammates get excited when they’d cut time or get a state cut. I’m also looking forward to see everyone on the team do great.”

Many members of the Lady Panther swim team received awards in Lander.

O’Brien, Liggett and Fuller all received All Conference Awards, which are given to the top two athletes in individual events.

Emma Karhu won the sportsmanship award for the team for encouraging the team despite some difficulties she faced in diving and the 50 yard freestyle.

Assistant Coach Heather Christensen was voted the Conference Assistant Coach of the Year.

Conference Results:

(The results below are the final placings and best times swam in both days)

200 Yard Medley Relay –

Third place: Sidney O’Brien, Anna Fuller, Ashlyn Aguirre, Madison Lowery – 2:01.50

200 Yard Freestyle –

Third place: Addison Moretti – 2:10.65

Fourth place: Elizabeth Liggett – 2:08.31

200 Yard Individual Medley –

Sixth place: Sidney O’Brien – 2:31.87

Eighth place: Rachel Kuntz – 2:34.24

Ninth Place: Ashlyn Aguirre – 2:37.97

50 Yard Freestyle –

Second place: Madison Lowery: 26.45

1 Meter Diving –

Third place: Madison Hackenberg – 254.25

Sixth place: Emma Karhu – 179.85

100 Yard Fly –

Sixth place: Ashlyn Aguirre – 1:08.10

Twelfth place: Rachel Kuntz – 1.10.66

100 Yard Freestyle –

Fourth place: Katrina Twitchell – 59.62

Sixth place: Madison Lowery – 1:01.06

500 Yard Freestyle –

First place: Elizabeth Liggett – 5:46.66

Second place: Anna Fuller – 5:59.11

Third place: Addison Moretti – 5:58.60

Twelfth place: Grace Harder – 6:29.00

100 Yard Backstroke –

Second place: Sidney O’Brien – 1:05.94

Eighth place: Kylie Kahl – 1:13.86

100 Yard Breaststroke –

Fifth place: Anna Fuller – 1:16.13

400 Yard Freestyle Relay –

Second place: Katrina Twitchell, Elizabeth Liggett, Addison Moretti, Anna Fuller – 3:59.25