NCMP gears up for district meet at SE Polk

The Newton-Colfax-Mingo-Pella boys’ swim team is a day away from competing in its district meet.

The Cardinals head to Southeast Polk this year and will square off against a group of eight schools which includes the host Rams, Ankeny, West Des Moines Valley, Indianola, Centerville, Des Moines Lincoln, Oskaloosa and Des Moines North/Hoover.

According to the power rankings on the Varsity Bound website, Ankeny is ranked third, Valley is fifth and Indianola sits 16th. NCMP is ranked 30th, coming in just behind Southeast Polk, which is 28th.

NCMP enters the weekend with the fourth-best time in all three relays.

The top 24 relay teams from district competition advance to state. The Cardinals’ 400-yard freestyle relay team is ranked 25th, the 200 medley relay is 26th and the 200 freestyle relay has the 32nd fastest time.

Jaden Dydell figures to be part of two of those relays. He’s also got the best chance to qualify individually. He has the seventh fastest 100 breaststroke time in the state and the 17th fastest 50 freestyle time. The 32 fastest individuals from districts qualify for the state meet.

Dydell has the second fastest 100 breaststroke and 50 freestyle times among swimmers coming to the Southeast Polk district.

Henry Jensen is another Cardinal swimmer who is likely on two of the three relays. He’s also got the eighth-best 200 freestyle time and 15th fastest 500 freestyle time at the Southeast Polk site.

The district meet at Southeast Polk begins at noon on Saturday. The top six finishers in each event at districts earn medals and the district champion receives a banner. Spectators are not permitted to attend district meets this season.