Swimmers from Flathead and Glacier have their mojo working heading into the State Swimming Championships today and Saturday in Hardin.

“We had a lot of great swims (at the Helena meet two weeks ago),” Brandon Rannebarger, who coaches both teams, said.

“Seems like our attitudes are coming together, really good team sportsmanship, unity. I only have one word for it and that’s mojo. Hopefully we will ride this energy out until the last of the season. We’re all excited to see how we do.”

 Glacier will have 16 swimmers, nine boys and seven girls, competing, while Flathead has qualified 12, six boys and six girls, for the regular-season finale.

Last year in Great Falls, the Glacier girls finished 10th with 50 points and Flathead 12th with 14 in the final state standings. C.M. Russell won it with 285 and Missoula Sentinel was second, 244.

The Glacier boys placed 10th at state with 60 points, while Flathead was 14th with 19. Bozeman edged CMR for the title, 171-169.

Glacier had 22 swimmers at state in 2009 compared to 13 for FHS.

“We held our (overall) numbers (this year) better than last year,” Rannebarger said.

“We had more kids show up (last year), but a lot of kids quit because of natural attrition and morning practices. This year, they stayed. We have a lot more solid core.”

Glacier and Flathead both had one state finalist in the boys competition last year. Neither swimmer is back, but Rannebarger is hoping the number of finalists increases, boys and girls, in Hardin.

“We’re really talented in the freestyle events and 200 and 400 freestyle relays,” Rannebarger said of the Glacier boys.

“We’re very deep in those events.”

Rannebarger said Logan Streit, a freshman, has stepped up big time, while Kyle Brady and Brian Hoffman have provided great leadership.

Jacob Williams has also enjoyed a solid season.

Aaron Murry and Adam Harris “are just pulling in the needed points, too, throughout the season,” Rannebarger said.

Glacier’s MaKenna Siebenaler, a freshman, has been real fast in the sprint events. Maxie Scroggs, who has qualified for sectionals, has come through with some important swims, especially in the 100 backstroke.

“Samantha King is always fast,” Rannebarger said.

“Shea Stevens has had a little trouble with injuries, but is a real solid swimmer for us, working hard.”

One Glacier girl to watch this weekend is Maddie Walters.

“We expect her to shatter the school record in the 500 free,” Rannebarger said.

“She’s three seconds off, a couple clicks off. With the new pacing we’re doing right now, she will crush it.”

Walters best time in that event is 6 minutes 19 seconds.

Glacier’s 400 freestyle relay crew — Streit, Brady, Hoffman and Murry — hold the school record in that event.

For Flathead, it’s been a numbers game this season.

“We had some rough things on the guy’s side as far as losing some boys,” Rannebarger said.

“Had we had them, we could have made a run at this.”

The Flathead girls are battling a small turnout as well.

Still, the Braves and Bravettes boast several standouts.

“Overall, phenomenal,” Rannebarger said.

“Jordan Loyda is going great. Lars Thorderson, Karl Boveng, Michael Scaccia, every single boy has stepped up and filled those gaps. They are swimming fast.”

Scaccia, breaststroke, has qualified for sectionals along ith Loyda, 100 backstroke. 

Rannebarger said Anika Thorderson has shown great leadership.

“It’s nice having her on the team,” he said.

“She does a good job mentoring the younger swimmers, bringing them along.”

Ashley Judd has been steady, placing in the top six for the Bravettes in several meets.

Swimming begins today at the Hardin Pool at 11 a.m.

The top six individuals from today’s preliminaries are in the championships finals on Saturday. Those placing seven through 12 in Friday’s preliminaries are in the consolation finals on the final day.

State Qualifiers

Flathead

Boys

Karl Boveng, Ben Mason, Michael Scaccia, Nick Karr, Jordan Loyda, Lars Thorderson

Girls

Ashley Judd, Lilly Wilson, Taylor Schultz, Hailey Maas, Anika Thorderson, Joanna Ward

—————

Glacier

Boys

Adam Harris, Kyle Brady, Julian Blake, Aaron Murry, Sam Burch, Brian Hoffman, Alec Reitzel, Logan Streit, Jacob Williams

Girls

Maxie Scroggs, Sam King, Maddie Walters, Shea Stevens

Lacey Fisher, Sarah Burch, MaKenna Siebenaler