Bozeman Sweeps Montana Girls’ and Boys’ High School Champs

Havre, MT. BOZEMAN HIGH'S high-flying Hawks claimed their second-consecutive girls' and boys' Class AA state swim championships at Montana State University-Northern's Pool here.

Bozeman's girls racked up 235 points for the title, with Kalispell (172) in second for the second-straight season and Billings West(164) third.

The Hawk ladies won six events en route to the title, including all three relays; the 200-500 frees (Amy Barefield, 1:56.91-5:16.44); and the 50 free (Phylena Broadbanks, 24.56). Their 200 medley relay team clocked 1:53.98, the 200 free foursome went 1:41.13, and the 400 free relay touched in a state-record 3:40.82. The old mark was 3:41.89 by Kalispell from 1997.

Kalispell Bravette sophomore Amber Walter was the only other double winner, splashing to a state-record in the 200 IM (2:08.37) and also racing to a 52.95 100 free triumph. Her IM clocking broke her own record from the prelims (2:11.08) by nearly three seconds.

Great Falls' Sara Harlan won the 100 fly (1:01.73), Great Falls Russell's Jana Bedosky the 100 back (1:01.45) and Billings' McKenzie Reiter the 100 breast (state-record 1:07.16).

Bozeman's boys were not quite so dominating, winning only two individual (500 free, 100 breast) and the 400 free relay.

Steve Scarles was quickest in the 500 (4:56.30) with teammate William McCallum second (4:58.09).

In the 100 breast the Hawks' Allan McCallum set a state record with his 58.93 clocking, breaking the old mark of 58.98 that had stood for the last decade. Another state record came in the 100 back, where Missoula Hellgate's David Cromwell went 50.90 to break his own standard of 51.18 from earlier in the season. Cromwell also splashed to a win in the 200 free (1:42.76) and now has five state titles with one season left.

Cromwell's stellar efforts helped the Hellgate Knights finish second in the team race (256-209) with Billings Senior rounding out the Top 3 with 168 points.

–Bill Bell

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