by nathan oster
The home opener for the Greybull-Riverside swim team was a productive one, even though the 98-38 final score would seem to suggest otherwise.
“We continue to get faster, and right now, that is what success looks like for us,” said Coach Jennifer Simmons, whose team was outmanned and outgunned by Buffalo Friday afternoon.
“The girls are working very hard, and starting to see a measured amount of success,” she added. “When you practice, it’s difficult to know for sure. But (in their times) they get concrete proof that they are getting better.”
Amber Getzfreid continues to pace the swimmers, as the Riverside senior qualified for state in three more events: diving, the 50 freestyle and the 100 backstroke.
Getzfreid finished second in the diving with a 165.55, won the 100 backstroke in 1:12.62 and bettered the qualifying standard in the 50 freestyle on her leg of the 200-meter freestyle relay.
While it was Getzfreid who carried the team, Simmons was quick to point out that each swimmer showed improvement in one area or another.
• Taylor Ballard improved by 20 seconds in the 50 freestyle and 40 seconds in the 100 freestyle.
• Sarah Roll shaved two seconds off her leg of the 200-yard medley relay. The Greybull senior was also third in the 200 individual medley and placed third in the 100-yard butterfly. Her time, a 1:58.16, was a good one considering it was her first attempt at the race.
• Miria Smith made her swimming debut, finishing fifth in the 100 free and sixth in the 50 free. Her time in the 50 free, a 45:51, represented a seven-second improvement over her top practice time, said Simmons. “She looks like a swimmer,” said the coach. “We’re going to try to turn her into a backstroker.”
• Bettencourt cut time on her leg of the 200 medley relay. She drew the “back to back” duty last week, as her coach put her in the first and seconds, and 11th and 12th, events of the dual. “She didn’t do too badly,” Simmons said.
• Amanda Cowan finished second in the 500 freestyle. It was  the first time she swam the event. “She doesn’t really want to be our distance swimmer,” said Simmons. “But I’m hoping she will step up and fill that spot.”

This week
The swimmers will be busy this weekend. First up is a 5 p.m. dual Friday in Worland, followed on Saturday by the Powell Invitational starting at 11 a.m.