The Big Sandy Mountaineer -

Barracudas Bronze in Class B State Excitement filled the air as nearly 20 teams gathered around deck in Conrad on July 29 with coaches, parents, and children alike buzzing with anticipation at the opportunity to showcase their hard work and dedication to the sport this summer.

With each team dressed in their own theme, the Parade of Athletes kicked off the collision of the East and West Divisions in their battle to sort out the ranks. Dressed as "The Flintstones" on land and known as Barracudas in the water, our Big Sandy and Rocky Boy athletes swam their hearts out and earned a 3rd place finish to conclude the 2023 swim season. Henry Merrill and T'Gan Ketchum held things down on the mens side, with Henry scoring points and T'Gan 22. Mackenzie Werk earned herself some silver hardware after placing 2nd in her 200m free and was the lead lady in scoring for the Barracudas with 25 points, followed closely by Jai Baumann and Harley LaBuda with 20 points each. Cassia Butler and Astrid Ketchum made some waves at state this year with 16 and 15 points respectively. D'Aree Sunchild and Lila Butler also got on the score board for the Barracudas with 5 points apiece.

Relays 8u Girls 100m free (Lila Butler, Velia Demontiney, Jailieana Parker, Jewell Parker) 4th 9-10 girls 100m free and 100m medley (Cassia Butler, Sienna Butler, Dorothea Merrill, D'Aree Sunchild) 5th, 4th 9-10 mixed 100m (Amara Butler, Brookelyn Cline, T'Gan Ketchum, Kayden Parker) 5th 11-12 girls 200m free (Astrid Ketchum, Eden Pansch, Raea Pansch, Mackenzie Werk) 5th 11-12 mixed 200m medley (Astrid Ketchum, T'Gan Ketchum, Henry Merrill, Mackenzie Werk) 3rd 8u boys Kayden Parker: 25m free- 24th, 50m free-21st, 25m back-19th 8u girls Lila Butler: 25m free-8th, 50m free-15th Velia Demontiney: 25m free-17th, 50m free-20th JaiLieana Parker: 25m free-16th, 25m back-17th 9-10 boys T'Gan Ketchum: 50m free-5th, 100m free-5th, 50m back-7th 9-10 girls Cassia Butler: 100m IM-8th, 50m free-7th, 100m free-8th Sienna Butler: 100m free-19th, 50m breast-19th D'Aree Sunchild: 50m free-10th, 100m free-11th, 50m fly-14th 11-12 boys Joseph Demontiney: 50m free-22nd, 50m breast-17th, 100m free-17th Henry Merrill: 100m free-6th, 50m fly- , 200m free-7th 11-12 girls Astrid Ketchum: 200m IM-7th, 100m free-11th, 200m free-6th Eden Pansch: 50m free-24th Raea Pansch: 100m free-22nd, 50m back-20th, 50m fly-DQ Mackenzie Werk: 50m free-7th, 100m free-6th, 200m free-2nd 13-14 girls Harley LaBuda: 50m free-5th, 100m breast-7th, 100m free-7th Daijalin Sunchild: 200m free-20th 15-19 men Darrell Sunchild: 200m IM-Darrell was unable to make it to his race due to flight delays 15-19 women Jai Baumann: 200m IM-7th, 50m free-7th, 100m breast-5th.

Although not every child that swam with the Barracudas this season was able to attend Divisionals or qualified for State, every single one of them and their families share a piece of all the team's successes. Whether it's driving a bus load of kids to practice every day, helping out with fundraisers, veteran swimmers mentoring the younger swimmers, chasing younger siblings around a hot, sweaty meet, or any of the other million "little" things that comprise the craziness that is swim season-we would not be able to have a team without you! And a special thank you to those who have followed our team this season and support our various fundraisers throughout the year, we couldn't do it without you either, thank you for investing in our children!