Sheridan's Thomas Yates Decides to Compete at Midland University

Thomas Yates of Sheridan High School recently signed his letter of intent to swim at Midland University in Fremont, NE.

Yates qualified for the Class 4A Wyoming Boys State Swimming and Diving Championships his final three years of high school.

He swam all strokes during his prep career but was primarily in freestyle and butterfly events.

As a senior, Yates finished in fifth place in the 100 butterfly at the state meet. His time was 55.72 seconds. Yates placed 13th in the 200 freestyle. He also was a leg on both the 200 and 400 freestyle relays. Sheridan won the consolation final and took seventh place in both relays. He helped the Broncs come eighth place as a team.

In 2019, as a junior, Yates came in sixth place in the 100 butterfly with a time of 57.67 seconds. He placed 11th in the 200 freestyle and again swam on the 200 and 400 freestyle relays. Those two relays finished in eighth and ninth place, respectively. Sheridan took 10th in the team standings.

As a sophomore in 2018, Yates was part of a team that placed sixth. He placed 17 in the 100 butterfly and 18 in the 100 backstroke. Sheridan’s 200 and 400 freestyle relays both came in sixth, and Yates swam a leg on each.

Midland University competes at the NAIA level of collegiate athletics. The Warriors are part of the Great Plains Athletic Conference. Midland took fourth at the 2020 NAIA National Championships in early March. Yates will swim for head coach Ryan Bubb. The program just began in 2016.