Two-day test — Dogies test speed in Casper as Hoover claims two wins

CASPER — Newcastle’s boys swim team tackled its first long road trip of the season last weekend, competing in the Casper Pre-Invite on Friday hosted by Natrona County High School and the Casper Invite on Saturday hosted by Kelly Walsh High School.

“Both meets proved to be very fast and great competition for the swimmers, who competed against several 4A schools,” head coach Doug Scribner said.

Newcastle finished seventh Friday at the Pre-Invite with 54 points in a field led by Laramie (477), Kelly Walsh (346) and Sheridan (283).

Junior Gabe Hoover delivered Newcastle’s top performances on the opening day. Hoover won the 50-yard freestyle in 23.30, then followed with a victory in the 100 backstroke in 1:01.26.

“Both of these swims were season PR’s for Gabe,” Scribner said.

Hoover's swims came after junior John Sandrini opened the weekend for Newcastle in the 200 freestyle and set the tone with a strong swim that netted him a seventh place finish..

“John had a great performance in that race,” Scribner said.

The Dogies returned to the water Saturday for the Casper Invite, where the field expanded.

“This gave the team the opportunity to swim against several 4A teams, as well as Douglas and Buffalo, both of whom are in the same conference as we are,” Scribner said.

Hoover continued to build momentum on Day 2, placing fourth in the 100-yard freestyle (51.38) and fourth in the 100 breaststroke (1:10.31).

“He came away with a great improvement in the breast stroke, dropping almost six seconds in that race,” Scribner said.

Freshman Nathan Smith also showed significant progress as the weekend went on. Smith opened Saturday’s meet in the 200 freestyle and delivered a significant time drop, then followed with another PR in the 100 backstroke.

“He led off Saturday's competition with the 200 free and was able to come away with a personal best time in that race, dropping almost 16 seconds,” Scribner said, noting that Smith later trimmed more than three seconds off his backstroke time compared with the previous week’s meet in Gillette.

Newcastle finished ninth Saturday with 35 points. Laramie won the team title with 512 points, followed by Buffalo (393) and Kelly Walsh (297).

“Back-to-back meets are important and give the swimmers a feel for the two-day conference and state championships later in the season,” Scribner said.

Dogie highlights

Casper Pre-Invite (Friday, Dec. 19 — Natrona County)

Team finish: 7th, 54 points

Gabe Hoover: 1st, 50 free (23.30); 1st, 100 back (1:01.26)

John Sandrini: 7th, 200 free (2:24.96); 17th, 50 free (27.26)

Nathan Smith: 20th, 100 free (1:08.60); 27th, 50 free (31.52)

Casper Invite (Saturday, Dec. 20 — Kelly Walsh)

Team finish: 9th, 35 points

Gabe Hoover: 4th, 100 free (51.38); 4th, 100 breast (1:10.31)

John Sandrini: 13th, 100 back (1:14.02); 20th, 50 free (27.33)

Nathan Smith: 22nd, 200 free (2:28.26); 16th, 100 back (1:20.72)