Last-Chance

The final stop of the regular season took Newcastle to the Campbell County Aquatic Center in Gillette, where a compact field and quick turnarounds made the Last-Chance Qualifier more grind than glide. Even so, the Dogies checked off what they needed most: race reps in a state-meet setting and a couple of confidence-building time drops.

“We were hoping for some more time drops but were only able to come away with two individual improvements,” head coach Doug Scribner said. “Last chance is traditionally a hard meet to drop time in. It’s smaller, so finding the energy and competition to race fast is difficult — and there’s very limited rest between events.”

Sophomore Allie Lunstra set the tone with two wins, taking the 100 freestyle in 1:02.80 and doubling back for a 1:09.98 in the 100 backstroke. Those swims, Scribner noted, were less about chasing cuts and more about sharpening execution on the eve of state.

Newcastle also picked up progress where it matters most — on the clock. 

“The first improvement was from Shelby Smith in the 200 free, where she dropped almost two seconds,” Scribner said. Smith finished fourth in 2:35.43 and added a 1:11.62 in the 100 free, closing the day with steady relay work. 

“The second was from Natalie Dean, who improved almost three seconds in the 100 breaststroke,” the coach added. Dean clocked 1:58.51 and came back to help the 400 free relay grab runner-up.

Junior Madalyn Francis split her day between the lanes and the boards, placing third in the 50 free (31.82) and fifth in diving (120.85). Scribner reminded the team that the meet’s purpose was more lesson than ledger. 

“I emphasized to the girls that you learn something every time you race, and this meet does not determine how you will swim next week at state,” he said.

Experience should help too. 

“Shelby, Allie and Madalyn are all returning to state for their second time,” Scribner said. “They had solid performances last year, and that experience will help them do the same this year.”

The Lady Dogies now pivot to taper and fine-tuning before heading back to Laramie for the 3A State Meet — prelims Friday afternoon and finals Saturday morning — ready to make their presence felt again despite their numbers.

Dogie Results: Last-Chance Qualifier (Gillette)

100 Free: Allie Lunstra, 1st, 1:02.80; Shelby Smith, 3rd, 1:11.62

100 Back: Allie Lunstra, 1st, 1:09.98

200 Free: Shelby Smith, 4th, 2:35.43

50 Free: Madalyn Francis, 3rd, 31.82; Natalie Dean, 6th, 37.07

100 Breast: Natalie Dean, 2nd, 1:58.51

Diving (1-meter): Madalyn Francis, 5th, 120.85

400 Free Relay: Newcastle A (Steber, Smith, Francis, Lunstra), 2nd, 5:21.31

Next up: 3A State Meet, Laramie: prelims Friday, finals Saturday.