Aquagirls extend state-meet qualifying tradition

NCMP is 22-for-22 under the coaching of Sarah Patterson.

Seven swimmers carry on the Aquagirl tradition Saturday. For 22 years, there has been members of the NCMP swim team competing at the Iowa Girls' High School State Swimming and Diving Championship meet.

The 2014 edition of NCMP qualified in five events — three relays and two individual races — for Saturday's 2014 IGHSAU state meet in Marshalltown. Seniors Rachel Prendergast, Hannah Scotton and Sara Martin are joined by juniors Samantha Hedrick, Sydney Jenkins and freshman Emily Miller.

Prendergast qualified in the 100-yard freestyle while Scotton and Hedrick go after medals again in the 100 butterfly. The trio combine with Jenkins in the 400 freestyle relay. Martin, Scotton, Miller and Hedrick are the Aquagirls' 200 freestyle relay team.

Jenkins, Rhoads, Scotton and Hedrick return to state in the 200 medley relay, which just missed earning a spot on the podium a year ago taking seventh.

"They are ready," Patterson said. "Coach (Chris) Forsyth and I sense a strong desire from the girls to improve on Saturday. This group is not satisfied about just making it to state. Most of these girls went last year and they want to go make an impact."

Saturday's meet begins with the parade of teams at noon at the Marshalltown YMCA.

Admission to the state meet is $10 per person, students and adults. Spectators will be allowed in the swimming facility at 11 a.m. They will be allowed entrance into the YMCA's gymnasium at 9 a.m.

The 2014 Swimming & Diving Meet will be streamed live at www.ustream.tv/channel/9640402.

Scotton and Prendergast go into their fourth straight state meet Saturday. Hedrick and Jenkins are competing at state for the third consecutive year while Martin and Rhoads are in their second consecutive state meet.

NCMP sends a veteran group to the 2014 state competition. The relay teams hold the records for the team, including setting a new 200 freestyle relay record (1 minute, 39.48 seconds) last Saturday at the regional meet. The 400 freestyle team of Scotton, Prendergast, Jenkins and Hedrick set the school record and came up just hundredths of a second shy of breaking it at regional.

"The goal for all of our relays is to set faster times at state. We almost broke our 400 free record at regional and we really want to drop our times," Scotton said. "State is an experience to be enjoyed. We've tapered this week and have lot of energy heading into state."

Scotton and Hedrick finished sixth and fourth, respectively, in the 100 butterfly a year ago at state, making the podium. They are both aiming for the podium — a top-six finish — again on Saturday. Hedrick set a new NCMP mark in winning the butterfly race at regional in 57.11 seconds with Scotton in second at 57.90.

Hedrick is seeded third in the butterfly going into estate and Scotton has the fifth-fastest time. The teammates acknowledge how they push each other in practices to be the best they can be.

"It's going to be a good race between us and everyone else in the competition," Hedrick said. "It should be a close one and exciting. I'm going into state with a little different mind set. I've swum these races so many times that I'm just going to go in relaxed and focused."

"We're going to try our hardest," Scotton said of Hedrick and herself. "However it ends up will be fine for us. It's has been great this year to have each other to practice against and push each other."

Prendergast is excited about her fourth straight trip to state and her final races for NCMP. It is the first time she has qualified in an individual event. She is seeded 25th in the 100 freestyle.

"I see it as an opportunity to prove to myself that I deserve to swim and compete against all the rest of the swimmers in the 100 freestyle. I'm out to better my position in the state rankings in the race," Prendergast said. "I'm more ready to go into the state meet this year as compared to the other three. This is my last year to do the best I can. I just want to put it out there for myself and the team."

All three NCMP relays going in seeded 10th.

"I told the girls that 10th is a good spot. We're in the second heat in each of the relay races and all three are in lane five. That's a good position to be in," Patterson said. "These girls know individuals and relays can reach the podium coming out of heat two. They each have to give their maximum effort to the end and see what happens."

First up is the 200 medley relay of Jenkins swimming the backstroke, Rhoads swimming the breaststroke, Scotton taking the butterfly and Hedrick is the anchor doing the freestyle. This foursome came up just shy of the state podium a year ago, finishing seventh.

"I'm really excited and a lot more calm this year going into state," Jenkins said. "I know what the process is at state. We've put all the work and meters in throughout the season. I just know we're ready."

"It feels really good going back to state as part of this relay. It is the same four from last year and we really want to set a new record and reach the podium," Rhoads said. "I know I have to take it out fast and stay strong throughout my leg of the race. I've worked on a few things this week to help me drop some time. We're ready."

Right in the middle of the meet is the 200 freestyle relay. Scotton, Hedrick and Martin were on the relay that finished 16th at state last year. Joining that trio is Miller.

"We're all energized this week. We're ready to go out and push it at state," Martin said. "I'm excited to be going to state as a senior. Our goal to to get all three relays on the podium and we have a shot at that."

Miller admitted she is a little nervous going into her first state meet.

"But, all the other girls have given me advice and support. They have been great leaders all season," Miller said. "I'm excited and I'm going out to do my best."

Prendergast said her advice to all of her teammates was simple.

"Don't put too much pressure on yourself. Be there and enjoy it. We've been working hard all season so, it is going to happen in the pool. We deserve to be there and just swim your best. We will be contending for the podium in our relays. Just enjoy the experience," Prendergast said.

Contact Jocelyn Sheets at 641-792-3121 ext. 6535 or jsheets@newtondailynews.com