March 19, 2024

Aquagirls go after third straight NCIC title at home Saturday

Newton/Colfax-Mingo/Pella equals NCMP. NCMP’s Aquagirls pull from three different communities, but they all pull together.

The Aquagirls will be pulling together for a third consecutive North Central Iowa Conference championship Saturday in their home pool. One difference comes into play for NCMP this year as opposed to the last two years.

In the two previous conference championship meets, the Aquagirls had to come from behind because of no diving points. This season NCMP has had competitors in the diving event.

“We have been conference champs for two years straight and are looking to take the crown for a third year,” said Sarah Patterson, NCMP head coach. “The girls are fired up to swim, and our diver, Morgann Eide, has had good practices this week according to her diving coach, Kelly Rose.”

Conference swimming events will be at the Newton YMCA, starting at 1:30 p.m. The diving event, which will feature an 11-dive competition, is being held at Grinnell College’s Bear Athletic Center, 1201 10th Ave, Grinnell, beginning at 10 a.m. Admission is $5 per person.

Teams in the NCIC with NCMP are Boone, Charles City, Decorah, Grinnell, Vinton-Shellsburg and Williamsburg. Decorah placed second to NCMP a year ago.

The top three placers in each individual event receive All-NCIC honors and the top two placers in relay races earn all-conference honors. Three medals are awarded in each individual event and two in the relay races. First through 12th places score team points. A team plaque is awarded to the conference championship team.

Other NCIC awards given are coaching staff of the year and athlete of the year, voted on by conference coaches. Each school nominate a senior member of its dam to receive conference all-academic honors.

NCMP will also honor its seniors at Saturday’s conference meet. The Aquagirls only had one home meet, Sept.r11. Seniors on the team area Anna Barr, Kira Hanson, McKenna Heisdorffer, Abby Jolivette, Olivia Maharry, Sara Martin, Rachel Prendergast and Hannah Scotton.

“Our biggest competition has been from Decorah in recent years, but all of the teams have some fast competitors,” Paterson said. “The name of the game on Saturday will be to have aggressive races and take them out fast. We are looking to get as many individuals and relays up on the podium as possible — the top six get to receive awards. Breaking a few school records in our meter pool is on our mind as well.”

Scotton and junior Samantha Hedrick are two-time NCIC champions in the 100 butterfly and the 100 freestyle races, respectively. Hedrick is out to defend her conference 200 individual medley title with junior Hannah Rhoads and Jolivette going third and eighth in the event a year ago.

Martin, Rhoads and junior Sierra Griffith had a 1-2-3 sweep in the 100 breaststroke last year for NCMP. Scotton will try to reclaim the 50 freestyle crown after taking second a year ago and winning the event as a sophomore.

NCMP’s 200 medley and freestyle relay teams are two-time conference champions and the 400 freestyle relay team took second. All members of the relay teams return this season.

“We are going to enjoy our last meet together as a team. After this meet, we have regionals and state, and the athletes that make it to state will represent the team. We’re all looking forward to a fun meet Saturday at home,” Patterson said.