Hoeper sets multiple conference records; Tigers end Iowa City West’s 6-yer reign
Mike Condon
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IOWA CITY — Fun may have been the key word to describe the mood at Saturday’s Mississippi Valley Conference girls’ swim meet
In a cozy environment at the Mercer Park Aquatics Center, smiles were seen all around.
For Cedar Falls, it was a return to glory. The Tiger program has a long and rich tradition built by former coach Dick Marcussen that included multiple conference and state championships.
For Iowa City High, it was the joy of hosting the meet with one of the state's best performers taking center stage.
Cedar Falls ended Iowa City West’s six-year reign as league champs, winning six events and scoring multiple points in others. The Tigers scored 475 points, easily outdistancing West (321) and Linn-Mar (251).
The individual star of the meet was City High’s Grace Hoeper. She had impressive wins in the 100 and 200-yard freestyle events and set a pair of MVC records, breaking her own 100 record and adding the 50 freestyle record for her time in leading off the Little Hawks’ winning 200 freestyle relay effort.
Cedar Falls Coach Chelsea Szczyrbak, who swam for West as a prep, said Saturday’s performance was the culmination of a lot of work since the end of last season when the Trojans edged them in the final event to take the title.
“I could not be prouder of our girls right now,” Szczyrbak said. “They have been working towards this for a long time. They came in this season ready to go because they have wanted this for a long time.”
Senior Mary Flikkema won two events (100 butterfly and 100 backstroke) while junior Taytem Lehmann took the 50 free title. Ella Kappros won the diving competition on Friday and the Tigers won two of the three relays.
“We have a long history of championships at Cedar Falls,” Szczyrbak said. “I love the rivalry back and forth with West. It's fantastic. I love the rivalry back and forth. It's always great competition when we swim against them.”
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City High’s Hoeper, an Indiana commit, had a big smile on her face after the meet. The joy was not just about her performance in the pool. Her teammates and Coach Mandi Kowal exuded so much positive energy throughout the meet.
“I just feel so lucky to be a part of this team,” she said. “Not only did I have good times but so many of my teammates had PRs.
“To be able to have this big meet at home, with so many fans out here giving us support meant a lot. It has been a goal of our coaches and our captains to make sure this team has fun and to be a close-knit team in a good culture and environment.”
Other event winners Saturday included Waterloo’s Lucy Parson in the 200 individual medley and 100 breaststroke, Iowa City West’s Hannah Longmire in the 50 and 100 para freestyles and Linn-Mar’s Grata Huberg in the 500 freestyle.
Mississippi Valley Conference girls’ swimming and diving meet
(At Mercer Park Aquatics Center, Iowa City)
Team scoring: 1. Cedar Falls 475, 2. IC West 321, 3. Linn-Mar 251, 4, CR Kennedy 212, 5. IC High 191, 6. Waterloo 170, 7. CR Washington 147, 8. Dubuque Senior 138, 9. Dubuque Wahlert 137, 10. CR Jefferson 106, 11. Dubuque Hempstead 87.
200-yard medley relay: 1. Cedar Falls (Ella Gardner, Makenna Van Mill, Leah Mason, Emma Mason) 1:53.42, 2. Waterloo (Irma Mujic, Lucy Parson, Adeline Tudor, Mallory Karr) 1:53.44, 3. CR Washington (Jayda Ripke, Lily Belle Barker, Zoey Jones, Mattie Piersall) 1:55.68
200 freestyle: 1. Grace Hoeper (ICH) 1:53.08, 2. Annie Gilligan (CF) 1:56.46, 3. Hannah Geng (ICW) 1:56.87.
200 individual medley: 1. Lucy Parson (Wat.) 2:14.46, 2. Mehal Raghwani (LM) 2:14.54, 3. Paige Wilson (CF) 2:15.96.
50 para freestyle: 1. Hannah Longmire (ICW) 40.53, 2. Ally Darter (DH) 45.42.
50 freestyle: 1. Taytem Lehmann (CF) 24.74, 2. Averie Bilskemper (ICW) 24.91, 3. Leah Mason (CF) 25.42.
100 butterfly: 1. Mary Flikkema 1:00.19, 2. Leah Mason (CF) 1:00.41, 3. Annie Gilligan (DS) 1:01.49
100 para freestyle: 1. Hannah Longmire (ICW) 1:31.45.
100 freestyle: 1. Grace Hoeper (ICH) 51.18, 2. Hannah Geng (ICW) 54.00 , 3. Paige Wilson (CF) 54.42.
500 freestyle: 1. Greta Huberg (LM) 5:19.86, 2. Gretchen Gerke (ICW) 5:31.18, 3. Lydia Rehmert (CF) 5:31.43.
200 freestyle relay: 1. Iowa City High (Grace Hoeper, Elsa Farber, Louisa Berry-Stoelzle, Saoirse Miller) 1:41.44, 2. Cedar Falls (Leah Mason, Mary Flikkema, Paige Wilson, Taytem Lehmann) 1:41.77, 1:, 3. IC West (Gabby Cwiertny, Hannah Geng, Bella Friessen, Averie Bilskemper 1:42.76.
100 backstroke: 1. Mary Flikkema (CF) 1:00.17 , 2. Ella Gardner (CF) 1:00.88 , 3. Irma Mujic (Wat.) 1:02.74
100 breaststroke: 1. Lucy Parson (Wat.) 1:05.03, 2. Zoe Castle (CF) 1L10.49, 3. Averie Bilskemper (ICW) 1:10.51
400 freestyle relay: 1. Cedar Falls (Taytem Lehmann, Emma Mason, Mary Flikkema, Paige Wilson) 3:4.48, 2. IC West (Hannah Geng, Bella Friessen, Gretchen Gerke, Averie Bilskemper) 3:46.41 3. IC High (Elsa Farber, Louisa Berry-Stoelzle, Celeste Miller, Grace Hoeper) 3:48.10
One-Meter Diving: (Held on Thursday) 1. Ella Kappros (CF) 369.00, 2. Fran Dehl (Wat.) 366.50, 3. Rowan Russell (ICW) 356.80.
Swimmers of the Year: Mississippi Division: Annie Gilligan (DS), Greta Huberg (LM) Valley Division: Grace Hoeper (ICH)
Divers of the Year: Mississippi Division: Tori Sletteland (LM), Rowan Russell (ICW). Valley Division: Ella Kappros (CF)
Coaching Staffs of the Year: Mississippi Division: Iowa City West. Valley Division: Cedar Falls