March 29, 2024

Aquagirls scorch waters at Boone meet, setting pool marks

BOONE — Two pool-record swims were turned in by NCMP Aquagirls at Thursday’s dual meet hosted by Boone. NCMP concluded its dual meet schedule with an overwhelming victory, 133-53 in varsity action, and 142-23 in junior varsity action, over Boone.

Hannah Scotton won the 100-yard butterfly race in a pool record time. It was Scotton’s own record to break and she won the race in 1 minute, 1.30 seconds.

Scotton joined Rachel Prendergast, Sydney Jenkins and Samantha Hedrick in the final event of the night, setting a pool mark in winning the 400 freestyle relay race in 4:48.96. NCMP head coach Sarah Patterson said it was exciting to see the foursome break the record in a tough situation — “there was no one around to push them.”

“We mixed up our lineup against Marshalltown and SE Polk on Tuesday, so we went with a little more traditional line up last night so the girls could get one more swim in at their top events,” Patterson said. “We were quite a bit stronger than their team, so we were a little flat. Times weren’t super competitive, but that is very normal for this time of year.”

Patterson said the team did have a number of people try new events in the meet.

Sarah Urias and Jorja McDermott both swam the 200 free for the first time, clocking a 2:41.48 and a 2:47.81 respectively. Freshman Olivia Hawkins did the 100 butterfly. Patterson said Hawkins is brand new to swimming this year.

“Coach (Chris) Forsyth and I love to see the girls push their limits and try new things. They get stronger and more mentally tough each time they leave their comfort zones,” Patterson said.

Kira Hanson was near her personal-best time in the 200 freestyle, placing second to NCMP’s Madeline Webb.  Jenkins continued to show good 50 free speed winning the event in a 26.65 seconds.

Boone has a very strong diving program, Patterson said. NCMP’s Morgann Eide placed third with her top score of the season, 213.90 points.

Emily Miller, who placed second in the 100 butterfly behind Scotton, clocked in at a personal-best time of 1:05.52. Hannah Rhoads placed third with a 1:06.80. The Aquagirls went We went 1-2-3 in the varsity 100 freestyle with the trio of Hedrick, Sara Martin, and Webb.

The next event saw an NCMP sweep as well, as Elizabeth Myers, Kira Hanson, and Sarah Prendergast placed 1-2-3 in the 500, all going under 6 minutes. Lynae Doland, who swam her first 500, turned in a time of 7:18.00 and Erin Van Sickle dropped 14 seconds from her best 500 free time finishing in 7:21.56.

Jaclyn Michener won the junior varsity 100 freestyle with her best time of 1:08.34 followed closely by Olivia Maharry with a 1:08.74, just touching out a Boone girl who went a 1:08.94, for second place.

“We won all three relays in both junior varsity and varsity, and our times were solid for this meet,” Patterson said. “Emily Miller turned in a split of 25.82 in the 50 free on the medley relay which is awesome. Rachel Prendergast had a great 57.53 leg on the 400 freestyle relay. She is such a consistent competitor and never gives anything less than her best.”

NCMP the 100 backstroke and breaststroke races in junior varsity and varsity races. Katherine Thorpe won the junior varsity 100 back, while Jenkins topped the field in the varsity event.  Alexis DeVries won the 100 breast with her personal-best time of 1:21.41 while Martin won the varsity swim with a time of 1:14.32, followed by Rhoads in second and Sierra Griffith in third.

The Aquagirls have break before the Southeast Polk Ram Relays next Thursday.

“The girls love that meet, and are really excited to go try to take back the crown,” Patterson said. “We won the meet a number of years in a row, but lost to CB Lewis Central last year. It’s such a fun meet because every event is a relay.”

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