March 28, 2024

Newton swims fourth at Fort Dodge

FORT DODGE — As Newton’s swimmers begin to wind down their regular season, the best and brightest Cardinal aqua aficionados are making their marks.

Newton’s swim team took fourth at the Rusty Garst Invitational in Fort Dodge on Saturday, with plenty of Cardinal individuals and relay teams showing they are ready for the possibility — and in some cases liklihood — of qualifying for state next month.

Newton scored 195 points, taking fourth out of seven schools. Sioux City won the Invitational with 225, followed by Waterloo West with 221 and Fort Dodge with 215.

The Cards got off to a perfect start to the day after the 200-yard meley relay team of Isaak Webb, Jake Lensing, Austin Bunker and Josh Bailey took first place with a time of 1 minute, 42.27 seconds.

Bunker followed that up with a second place swim of 1:51.55 in the 200 freestyle. Lensing won the 50 freestyle in 22.74 and the 100 freestyle with a time of 50.11. Webb and Bunker finished 1-2 in the 100 butterfly. Webb swam a time of 55.04, while Bunker clocked in at 55.64.Webb won the 100 breastroke by nearly four seconds at 1:03.86.

Newton’s 200 freestyle team consisting of Aaron King, Landon King, Jeff Fitzgerald and Paul DeHart took sixth in 1:40.35. Finally, Newton’s 400 freestyle relay team of Bunker, Bailey, Lensing and Webb ensured that the Cards would bookend the day with victories, winning the event in 3:23.92