The Helena Lions Swim Team recently competed in the 2008 Summer Long Course State Championships, which were held in Bozeman.

The HLST boys scored 345 points and placed third in their division. Helena finished seventh in both the girls category and the overall team scoring.

“Overall this was a great meet for us and a great way to finish the season for some kids that have worked really hard,” said second-year HLST coach Kirk Ermels. “I’m very proud of how the team competed all weekend long. All of our kids improved (their times) this weekend and they did a great job of supporting one another and competing as a team.”

Helena’s champions included Basil Whaley, Avree Klungland and several relay teams.

Whaley won the boys 15-16-year-old 400 individual medley title, in a time of 5 minutes, 40.26 seconds. He took second in the 1500 free, and placed third in the 50 backstroke in a new HLST record of 32.81.

Klungland garnered a pair of state crowns. She copped the girls 8-under 50 freestyle in 40.68, and the 50 backstroke in a team record of 48.77. Avree added a pair of runner-up finishes to her collection, in the 50 breaststroke and 50 butterfly.

The boys 11-12-year-old foursome of Lane Rapley, Winston Hilton, Stephen Murphy and Landen Beckner captured the 400 freestyle relay, posting a 5:16.03. Winning the 11-12 200 free relay were the group of Peter Krainacker, Murphy, Rapley and Beckner, in 2:25.14.

Boys placing as state runners-up were Justin Whaley (17-21) in the 100 and 200 fly, and the 400 free; Hugh Kingery (15-16) in the 50 fly; Joel Ronish (13-14) in the 1500 free, 200 fly and 800 free; Lane Rapley (11-12) in the 100 fly; Landen Beckner (11-12) in the 100 back; and Mike Burns (10-under) in the 50 free.

Coming in second in three different relay races were the quartet of Austin Burns, Nolan Bauer, David Mack and Ronish, in the 200 and 400 frees and the 200 medley. The 400 freestyle relay team (11-12) of Lane Rapley, Winston Hilton, Stephen Murphy and Landen Beckner, and the 200 free foursome of Peter Krainacker, Murphy, Rapley and Beckner, both took state runner-up.

Those bringing home third-place medals were Hugh Kingery, Basil Whaley, Lane Rapley, Mike Burns and Landen Beckner.

Two of the club’s 17-21 girls established new HLST marks, those being Lauren Formaz in the 50 back in 37.71 (fourth) and Becky Hattersly in the 50 fly in 33.42 (eighth).

This was also the last meet for both ladies before leaving for college. Formaz will be swimming at Pepperdine University in Malibu, Calif., while Hattersly plans on competing for Pacific University in Forrest Grove, Ore.

Reporter Curt Synness: 449-2150 or curt52s@bresnan.net