Things going swimmingly for Glacier, Flathead

As the crosstown swim meet nears – and the state meet waits two weeks beyond – coach Karen Bouda is pretty stoked.

The promising numbers to start the year, when 65 swimmers combined showed up for the Glacier and Flathead teams (Bouda coaches both), gave way to a bunch of state qualifiers.

There are 17 for Glacier, which was eighth among the girls’ teams and 10th among the boys at last year’s state meet.

Glacier’s list includes five swimmers that met the Montana High School Association’s qualifying standings this past weekend in Missoula: Jayna Moultray (100 freestyle), Emma Lane (50 free, 100 free), Jaeden Durfey (50 free), Campbell Fox (50 free, 100 free) and Travis Wirtala (50 free).

Flathead added one qualifier in Missoula – Kendal Pyron in the 50 freestyle – to run its total to 11, split among both sexes. Last year the Braves were ninth at state, and the Bravettes were 11th.

They seem to be trending up ahead of the crosstown meet set for 6 p.m. Friday at the Summit Health Club.

“We have a big group of sophomore men at each school that placed in the top 25 last year at state,” Bouda said. “And based on the season so far they have an excellent chance of making the top 12 – which means they swim on Day 2 at the state meet.”

She’s referring to freestyle swimmers Ayden Strobbe-Barry and Gary Christianson for Flathead, and Drew Bouda, Derek Smith and Isaac Bertrand for Glacier. Bouda swims freestyle, Bertrand the breaststroke and Smith the backstroke and free.

Karen Bouda, who was a volunteer assistant for two years before taking over as varsity coach this season, noted that just six boys carried Flathead to a third-place trophy in 2018.

With the talent at hand – and first place showings in the relays counting for 40 points – the teams could make a dent in a field that has been dominated by Missoula Hellgate in recent seasons. The Knights swept the titles last February and have won four straight on the boys’ side.

Flathead has eight girls’ titles but none since tying for first with Billings West in 2005. The Bravettes boast an excellent sophomore in Lily Milner, who could win the 100 free and 100 backstroke at state, as well as Jade Berry, Hanna Pieri and Kaylee Kurkowski.

Glacier’s girls, who were fourth in 2018, are led by senior Carolyn Dye – she’s qualified in all eight individual events and will have to pick just two for state – and sophomore Eden Flake. Flake has five qualifying times as well.

The addition of multi-eventer Mady Toren, a junior that has met four qualifying marks in her first year of high school swimming, helps the Wolfpack.

Flathead’s boys are led by senior Gus DeSouza, who will be in two relays and has qualified for four individual events.

Glacier’s boys have a couple promising freshmen in Xander Stout and Jakob Sonnederegger.

For Friday’s meet Bouda is letting the school captains – Dye and DeSouza – pick the lineups, and the relays could be be mixed. The outcome is hard to call, though Glacier has won the last two city meets.

“It’s fun to watch,” said Bouda. “Guys and girls competing in the same heats.”

State qualifiers

Glacier

Caroline Dye, sr.: 200 freestyle, 500 free, 100 breaststroke, 200 IM, 100 free, 100 butterfly.

Eden Flake, so.: 100 fly, 100 free, 200 free, 200 IM, 100 breast.

Mady Toren, jr.; 50 free, 100 free, 200 free, 200 IM.

Megan Anderson: 100 free, 500 free.

Emily Cleveland: 50 free, 100 free.

Halle Schroeder: 50 free.

Jayna Moultrey, 100 free.

Emma Lane: 50 free, 100 free.

Jaedon Durfey: 50 free.

Campbell Fox: 50 free, 100 free.

Travis Wirtala: 50 free.

Riker Foster: 50 free, 100 free.

Drew Bouda, so.: 200 free, 500 free, 100 fly.

Derek Smith, so.: 100 free, 50 free, 100 backstroke.

Xander Stout, fr.; 100 free, 100 fly, 50 free, 100 back.

Isaac Bertrand, so.: 50 free, 100 brfeast, 100 free.

Jakob Sonderegger, fr.; 50 free, 100 free.

Flathead

Gus DeSouza: 200 free, 100 breast, 50 free, 100 free.

Gary Christianson: 50 free, 100 free, 100 back.

Ayden Strobbe-Barry: 50 free, 100 free, 100 breast.

Kendall Pryon: 50 free.

Lily Milner: 50 free, 100 back, 100 free.

Jade Berry, so.: 100 free, 100 abck, 50 free.

Marley Miller:, so. 50 free, 100 free.

Kennadi Iten: 100 free.

Hannah Pieri, so.: 100 free, 500 free, 200 IM.

Kaylee Kurkowski, jr.: 100 free, 50 free.

Kailey Schrader: 100 free, 100 breask, 50 free.