Dogies send swimmers to finals — State finals set for Saturday
Gabe Hoover is headed back to the state finals — and he won’t be alone.
The Newcastle High School boys swim team competed Friday in the preliminary rounds of the 3A State Swimming and Diving Championships at Cheyenne East High School, with several Dogies earning spots in Saturday’s finals.
Hoover led the way with two strong swims. The junior won the preliminary heat of the 200-yard individual medley in 2:02.98, securing the top seed heading into Saturday’s championship final. He also qualified for the finals in the 100-yard backstroke, posting the third-fastest preliminary time of 55.93.
Hoover’s performances place him in strong contention for team points in both events as the Dogies look to finish their season on a high note.
Newcastle’s 200-yard medley relay team of John Sandrini, Archer Ohnstad, Nathan Smith and Isaiah Anderson qualified for Saturday’s finals with a time of 2:10.13. The Dogies also advanced in the 400-yard freestyle relay, where Ohnstad, Anderson, Smith and Sandrini combined for a prelim time of 4:12.14.
Individually, Ohnstad competed in the 50-yard freestyle, finishing in 26.28. Sandrini added a swim in the 100-yard backstroke, clocking a 1:07.08.
While not all swims advanced to championship heats, Newcastle secured valuable second-day appearances in both relays and two individual events.
Saturday’s schedule features championship finals at 10 a.m. at Cheyenne East High School. The top eight qualifiers in each event will compete for medals and team points, while consolation finals determine additional placings.
With Hoover seeded first in the 200 IM and third in the backstroke, the Dogies will look to capitalize on their opportunities as the 3A state meet concludes.
Individual results
Newcastle Dogies — 3A State Prelims
200 medley relay: 9. Newcastle (John Sandrini, Archer Ohnstad, Nathan Smith, Isaiah Anderson), 2:10.13, qualified for finals.
200 IM: 1. Gabe Hoover, 2:02.98, qualified for championship final.
50 freestyle: 23. Archer Ohnstad, 26.28.
100 backstroke: 3. Gabe Hoover, 55.93, qualified for championship final.
15. John Sandrini, 1:07.08.
400 freestyle relay: 11. Newcastle (Archer Ohnstad, Isaiah Anderson, Nathan Smith, John Sandrini), 4:12.14, qualified for finals.