(Cheyenne, WY) – At the Wyoming 4A State Swimming and Diving Championships on Friday in Cheyenne, the Riverton Wolverines turned in one of their strongest finishes in recent years, placing fifth overall in a tightly contested 4A field.
Riverton finished just eight points shy of third place in what head coach Jay Dayton called “a very deep and competitive meet.”
Teter Hovander swims in the 200-free winning the consolation heat. h/t Carl Cote Riverton’s Brody Koch, Alex Jordan, Teter Hovander and Porter Olson receive third place in the 200 medley relay. h/t Carl Cote Alex Jordan dives in backward for his leg in the 200-yard medley relay. h/t Carl Cote An Evanston swimmer sports a Despicable Me mask during intros. h/t Carl Cote Jordan Mills swims his way to fourth in the 500-yard freestyle for the Wolverines.h/t Carl Cote
The Wolverines returned essentially the same state lineup from a year ago, a team that had no seniors last season, and added one freshman qualifier. The added experience showed throughout the meet, especially in the relays.
“This team was more competitive this year and brought the experience of the last couple of years, and the relays were faster.” said Dayton. “Our junior class really carries the team.”
The 200 medley relay team of Alex Jordan, Brody Koch, Porter Olson, and Teter Hovander placed third to earn Wyoming Swim Coaches Association All-State honors while breaking the school record set in 2024.
The 200 free relay team of Jordan, Koch, Eliot Tate, and Hovander finished second, also earning All-State recognition and setting a new school record.
Alex Jordan swims his way to a state title in the 100-yard backstroke for the Wolverines. h/t Carl Cote Tina Jordan, left, puts her hands up to her face as her son taps the wall first in the backstroke finals at state. h/t Carl Cote Riverton head coach Jay Dayton prepares to put the first place medal around Alex Jordan’s neck at state swimming in Cheyenne. h/t Carl Cote Alex Jordan flexes atop of the podium after his backstroke win at state. h/t Carl Cote
Individually, junior standout Alex Jordan led the way. He placed third in the 200 IM with a new school record, broke a 10 year old school record in the 50 free while leading off the 200 free relay, and won the 100 backstroke state title, lowering his own school record from last season.
Teter Hovander placed seventh in the 200 free and fourth in the 100 free. Brody Koch finished ninth in the 200 IM and third in the 100 breaststroke, earning All-State honors and setting a new school record in the event.
Sophomore Jordan Mills continued a breakout season with an 11th-place finish in the 200 free and fourth in the 500 free. The 400 free relay team of Mills, Caleb Buskohl, Porter Olson, and Eliot Tate added a ninth-place finish with a season-best time.
On the boards, senior Micah Wodrich placed eighth in diving to close out his career.
“Seniors, as always, provide that maturity and leadership on the team,” said Dayton. “Micah Wodrich is super consistent and provides a cool, competitive approach to our team. Nothing really phases him.”
The fifth-place finish caps a season that included Riverton’s first 4A West championship in program history.
“We were aiming for a third-place finish at state, but came up eight points short,” Dayton said. “But we are pleased with our fifth-place finish this year.”
With a strong junior class returning, the Wolverines plan to build on their postseason performance next season.