Laramie Swimming Tries to Keep Their State Streak Alive [VIDEO]

Seeking a seventh straight state title, the Laramie High School girls' swimming and diving team competes on Thursday and Friday at the Class 4A girls swimming and diving state championships in Gillette.

After winning the last six in a row, and most in dominant fashion, Laramie will be relying on its depth to try to extend the streak.

LHS has 23 state qualifiers competing at this weekend’s championships. Head coach Tamara Bretting is confident that will help them contend for another title.

“We have the most splashes, I believe, in the state meet, the most girls in events, and so, we have a lot of places where we can move up. We just need a lot of those girls that aren’t currently ranked in the top 12 to jump over some people and get up there and get some points.”

Bretting feels five teams could win the 4A girls’ state championship. Besides Laramie, Kelly Walsh, Jackson, Cheyenne Central, and Campbell County are all contenders.

“It’s probably going to be one of the most exciting state meets that I’ve been to. I think we definitely have a chance because we have so many opportunities.”

The only event Laramie is favored in is diving. Juniors Maggie Turpin and Rowyn Birdsley are ranked first and second in the state.

KOWB’s David Settle spoke with Turpin and fellow junior swimmer Brooklyn Smith to preview the state championship weekend. Both described how they’re feeling going into the meet, what their individual events will be like, some keys for the team and themselves, and what they think their chances are at continuing Laramie’s reign over 4A swimming.

Bretting feels there are a few key areas for LHS. She said they need to move into the top six in the three relays, continue getting big points from diving, and have some young swimmers move up.

“I believe in them. They need to believe in themselves, and all the coaches are on the same page. We hope that they believe in themselves and that they know we believe in them, and that they trust the process.”

The state championships begin on Thursday at 2 p.m. with the diving prelims and semifinals. The swimming prelims will follow. All the event finals start at 10 a.m. on Friday at the Campbell County Aquatics Center in Gillette.