March 28, 2024

Aquagirls swim strong in first meet of 2014 season

MARION — Despite losing their season opening swim meet, Newton/Colfax-Mingo/Pella’s Aquagirls had a “great meet” according to head coach Sarah Patterson.

NCMP dropped a close varsity meet, 99-87, to host Linn-Mar Tuesday. The Aquagirls also lost the junior varsity portion of the meet but no team scores were available.

“We have a large team — 43 people — and we are  competitive team, so the best meets for us are with bigger teams with lots of competition. Well, we got just what we were looking for with Linn-Mar,” Patterson said. “We didn’t come away with a win in either JV or Varsity, but it was a great showing for us in our first meet of the year.”

The Aquagirls came in second and third in the first event of the night, the medley relays. Sydney Jenkins, Hannah Rhoads, Hannah Scootton and Sara Martin combined for the second place team. Finishing third was the team of Kira Hanson, Sierra Griffith, Emily Miller and Alexis Stout.

Patterson said all eight swimmers turned in nice split times. She said it was fun to see a fast 26.97-second split from Stout, who is a freshman.

NCMP varsity won the final event of the night, the 400-yard freestyle relay race. In between the two relay races, the Aquagirls had strong races, Patterson said.

“The 400 freestyle relay was back-and-forth until our anchor Hannah Scotton hit the water. She pulled away for the win and a best-ever split of 55.97 seconds,” Patterson said. “We always like to win the last race even if we don’t win the meet.  Our other relays finished third and fifth, so once again things are looking strong for upcoming meets on our schedule.

“Overall, we raced well and went after it.  We know we have work to do, but that is what makes a season.  We look forward to swimming and diving at Simpson College pool next week against Indianola and Grinnell.”

NCMP travels to Indianola for a triangular meet with host Indianola and Grinnell at Simpson College on Sept. 4.

Junior Samantha Hedrick tied for first in the varsity 50-yard freestyle race.

“Every winning event last night was a pool record as this is a brand new $12 million facility at Linn-Mar High School.  So Sam went down in the record books on that one,” Patterson said. “Not satisfied with the tie, Samantha won the 100 freestyle and not only logged pool record, but beat her own school record in the process.  And, she currently holds the fastest time in the state on Quik Stats.”

NCMP’s divers — Morgann Eide, Chelsea Trotter, and Anna Barr — competed in their first meets ever Tuesday.  Patterson said they all did a great job and saw some tough competition in the Linn-Mar squad.  Eide had the highest placing with a fourth place finish scoring a 189.40, while Trotter scored a 149.35 and Barr had a 97.65.

Patterson provided some of the other highlights from Tuesday’s meet at Linn-Mar.

Junior Elizabeth Myers had a personal-best time in the 200 freestyle, winning the junior varsity event.  Willa Colville and Taylor Tremmel, who placed second and fourth in the race, also had personal-best times

Rhoads posted a personal-best time to take second in the the varsity 200 individual medley in the first meet of the season. Abby Jolivette was near her personal best in the junior varsity 200 individual medley, placing second.

Stout won the junior varsity 50 free.

Jenkins and freshman Maddy Webb went third and fourth in the varsity 100 freestyle race. Hanson looked strong in winning the junior varsity 100 freestyle.

Patterson said freshman Jessica Zahn was smooth and strong in the junior varsity 500 freestyle, pulling away for the win in 6 minutes, 29.71 seconds.

The NCMP 200 freestyle varsity relays went 2-3. which is important for team points.

Abby Jolivette won the junior varsity 100 backstroke, while teammates Katherine Thorpe and freshman Julia Prime went 2-3 to back her up. The NCMP varsity swimmers went 2-3-4: Jenkins, Hanson, Kaelee Knoll.

Patterson said the breaststroke continues to be a strong event for the team with senior Olivia Maharry winning the junior varsity 100 breaststroke, while Martin, Rhoads and Griffth went 2-3-4 in the varsity race.

Contact Sports Editor Jocelyn Sheets at (641) 792-3121 Ext. 6535 or jsheets@newtondailynews.com.