High School State Championships: Wyoming 4A Boys

GILLETTE, Wyoming, February 23. AT last year's Wyoming 4A state championships, Campbell County's Collin Baldacci set a state record of 50.67 in the 100 yard back and also captured the 200 IM in 1:51.91.

Baldacci returned to this year's state championships, held in Gillette Feb. 22-23, for his senior season. He took the 100 back record down to 49.24, after first bettering it in prelims (50.07), and also lowered the state record to 49.46 in the 100 fly, taking down Rudy Hanekamp's 2011 mark of 49.98. Baldacci led off Campbell County's 200 medley relay of freshman Noah Beaver, junior Andrew Apodaca and senior Kory Knottnerus, which won in 1:36.57; and anchored the victorious 200 free relay (1:27.11) with junior David Bowersox, Beaver and junior Brayden Ely.

Campbell County, however, fell 18-1/2 points of defending their state title, scoring 246 points to Cheyenne Central's winning 264.5 points. The Indians were led by state record-setter Kyle White. The junior's 44.76 in prelims erased Nick Dillinger's 2011 mark of 45.06. White came back in finals to win in 44.99, and picked up a second victory with his 20.44 in the 50 free. In addition, he led off Cheyenne Central's 400 free relay of senior Justin Hood, junior Brandon Troudt and sophomore Justin Kovich, which claimed first in 3:14.38.

Laramie came in third in the team race with 198 points, led by 200 IM champ, senior Clayton Larsen (1:58.13) and his classmate, Jake Rehmeier (1-meter diving, 438.25 points).

Rock Springs edged out Kelly Walsh by just a half point for fourth, 161-160.5. Rock Springs senior Connor Vasa edged out Campbell County's Bowersox in the 200 free (1:44.83-1:44.99), and sophomore Keyden Harbison claimed the 500 free title (4:48.73). Kelly Walsh junior Levi Jensen posted a 57.64 to capture the 100 breast title.

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