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WORLAND - Months of hard work is about to pay off for the Worland Warrior boys swimming team, The grueling practices are behind them now, it's about bringing home some medals as they prepare for the 3A East boys swimming conference meet in Buffalo today and tomorrow.

Last week the Warriors put in their hardest workout of the year and traveled to Gillette for the Gillette Invite. Having a small team and competing against 15 other schools, 11 of which were 4A programs, WHS head coach Jeff Bishop and assistant coach Justin Howe had their swimmers focus on trying to break personal or season best records.

"It wasn't disappointing, they did about where we expected. Zach Cole went faster, which was a neat surprise. We were tired but everyone in the state is tired right now, everyone kind of goes through the same schedule.

"In those meets, you can't look at team scores. Kelly Walsh has 50 kids and most of them are good, you just have to look at how they performed individually," said Howe.

Bishop's lone diver, freshman Diamond Hill, had a solid performance in Gillette, scoring a 196.

"He did alright. We have one dive that's giving us trouble but we'll be able to work through that. He's done it before and just about pushing through," said Bishop.

Now that the postseason has arrived, Worland will begin to taper their workouts. This will allow for the Warrior swimmers to begin shaving time of their events.

"We bumped it down in yardage some, but our real taper will start next week, this week is kind of a mini-taper," said Howe.

Having so few on the team, a team championship is not a possibility with teams like Rawlins who run 30 deep. Instead, conference will be about Bishop and Howe selecting the events that give their swimmers the highest chance of top finishes.

GOALS FOR CONFERENCE

"We're looking at which events each swimmer has the best shot at placing the highest in by looking at our team stuff and other teams. We might have some swim in a few different events for conference but for state, it will be their best events," said Howe.

As for Hill, who sits third in the conference, it's all about avoiding mistakes to put himself in the best position to set a personal best.

"It will be about working on not zeroing any dives and trying to get all of our scores up to the five range. If he does that that will be his best opportunity to get his highest score. Right now he sits third in conference and eighth for state," said Bishop.

As for Bishop's and Howe's expectations for the conference meet, they want to see times cut and personal bests set.

"We should start cutting times now, even from the guys who haven't seen cuts yet. Then at state we're hoping they drop tons of time. We're hoping for personal best this weekend from everyone," said Howe.

Added Bishop, "Ditto."