NCMP sets pool records in sweeping double dual

INDIANOLA — Pool records tumbled as NCMP’s Aquagirls defeated host Indianola and Grinnell Thursday at Simpson College’s swimming pool.

The Aquagirls set four new pool records dominating the waters at Simpson, beating Grinnell 77-25 and Indianola 75-26 in varsity action. The NCMP junior varsity also put on a strong performance, winning 82-15 over Grinnell and 69-28 over Indianola.

“From top to bottom, our girls competed well,” said Sarah Patterson, NCMP head coach. “We looked a bit nervous and tight last week at Linn-Mar, but we relaxed and had fun Thursday night and it showed.  Our senior leadership continues to be strong.  These girls have so much experience and they are willing to bring others along on the journey.”

Sydney Jenkins, Hannah Rhoads, Hannah Scotton and Samantha Hedrick combined to set the tone of the meet for the varsity in the first race of the night. The foursome won the medley relay in 1 minute, 55.49 seconds, a pool record. That time moved NCMP up to sixth in the state in the event.

Rhoads claimed the varsity 200-yard individual medley race in 2:25.67. Rhoads would later set a pool record in winning the 100 breaststroke in 1:14.61 with Sara Martin right on her heels for second in 1:14.71.

Hedrick and Scotton went 1-2 in the 100 butterfly, swimming under “the magic minute mark.” Hedrick set a pool record in 58.93 seconds and Scotton was second in 59.73 seconds.

“We are the only team in the state right now with two butter flyers under 1 minute,” Patterson said. “We owned the 100 fly on the night. Sara Martin won the junior varsity race in 1:06.66 and sophomore Emily Miller was second in 1:07.27. Lynae Doland swam her first 100 fly of the season and had personal-best time of 1:27.84.”

The other pool record came in the final event of the night, the 400 freestyle relay. Hedrick Rachel Prendergast, Jenkins and Scotton combined for first place in 3:47.91. Hedrick set a pool mark in her lead-off leg of 55.12 seconds.  The junior varsity relay team of Sarah Prendergast, Miller, Elizabeth Myers and Madeline Webb took second in 3:59.60.

Morgann Eide placed second in the varsity diving with a score of 184.90 points, while Chelsea Trotter was third at 172.60. Anna Barr won the junior varsity diving by 90 points with a score of 171.60.

“All three divers are doing a great job for the team,” Patterson said.

Rachel Prendergast took second in the varsity 100 freestyle race in 58.24 seconds and Webb was third in 59.06. Swimming in the event for the first time this season, Myers placed second in the varsity 500 freestyle in 5:53.42.

Jenkins placed second in the 100 backstroke in 1:07.27 with Kira Hanson taking fourth in 1:08.89. The varsity 200 freestyle relay teams were first and second. Patterson said Alexis Stout and Miller had impressive splits at 26.48 seconds and 26.54 seconds, respectively.

Patterson said many of the team’s swimmers in the 100 freestyle were at or near personal-best time.  Freshman Hannah Boecker placed second in the junior varsity event swimming a best time, 1:07.11. The following swimmers all dropped time from Linn-Mar, ranging from a few tenths to as much as nine seconds: Isabella Leach, Janna Balek, Olivia Hawkins, Kaitlyn Barnes, Emily Hawkins, and McKenna Heisdorffer.

Jessica Zahn and Alexis DeVries finished first and second in the junior varsity freestyle race. Erin Van Sickle dropped 10 seconds from her time a week ago. Abby Jolivette won the junior varsity 100 backstroke in 1:17.87 and Katherine Thorpe was third in a season-best time of 1:20.76. The junior varsity 200 freestyle relays went 2-3.

Willa Colville, who clocked a 1:02.82 lead-off leg in the winning junior varsity 400 freestyle relay, dropped time off her split, plus shaved two seconds off her individual 200 freestyle time.

“Overall, it was a great meet.  We are looking forward to battling it out next week against Dowling and Roosevelt.  We have a great rivalry with Dowling and can’t wait to settle it in our pool next week,” Patterson said.

NCMP hosts West Des Moines Dowling Catholic and Des Moines Roosevelt Thursday at the Newton YMCA. Competition begins at 5:30 p.m.

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