Hughes sisters ready to race for Cedar Rapids Washington girls’ swimming

CEDAR RAPIDS — Throughout the current decade, the Hughes name has been an integral part of Cedar Rapids Washington swimming.

Current Luther senior Jackie Hughes was the girls' state runner-up in the 500-yard freestyle for the 2011 Warriors, while her brother Josh Hughes – who swims for Johns Hopkins University – won a boys' 500-free state title two years later.

Now it's Jenny and Jill's turn.

Washington junior Jenny Hughes and sophomore sister Jill Hughes will attempt to qualify for the girls' swimming state championships when they compete in a regional meet Saturday at Linn-Mar Aquatic Center.

'I am super excited to swim for state because there is pressure there, but it is just like another high-level swim meet,' Jill Hughes said. 'I am definitely wanting to qualify in both my events and I am just excited to finally go to state instead of just sitting in the stands watching.'

Both girls – like their older siblings before them – open-enrolled at Washington and thus could not become varsity-eligible until their sophomore seasons. Jenny Hughes debuted for the varsity Warriors last year and closed an excellent season at the state meet with a ninth-place finish in the 500 free. Now, Jill is along for the ride.

'I like it because she's always someone I can look over to and race,' Jenny Hughes said. 'She always gives up a good competition, which is a plus.'

Jill Hughes has provided the Warriors with much more than competition. The sophomore leads the team in three events – the 200-yard individual medley (2:14.49), the 200 free (2:00.05) and yes, the 500. Her best 500 time of 5:14.39 ranks 12th in the state.

While the sisters unite for formidable freestyle relay foursomes, they are not mirror images of each other. While both share a dogged work ethic and are intensely driven, Jill Hughes relies on the power of positive thinking for motivation while Jenny utilizes superior height, muscle mass and a splash of self-doubt to get results.

'In reality, Jill and Jenny are probably the most opposite of any of the Hughes in the entire family,' Washington Coach Megan Lewis said. 'Which is a super positive for our team. Having the two of them on the team brings actually more balance than we would probably have if we were missing one of them.'

When it comes to a wide range of events, both girls have proven to be quite versatile. Jill Hughes ranks no worse than fourth on the team in all eight individual events, while Jenny is second or third in six.

Throw in Washington juniors Lauren Havertape, Emily Nelson and Caitlin Sievers — who each have the opportunity to become three-time state qualifiers — and Lewis has plenty of options for setting postseason lineups.

'Almost everybody on the team can do just about every race,' Lewis said. 'That makes it fun to kind of see. 'OK, where are we at in the state? What are we going to taper for? What do we think we can place at both districts and at state?'

At the Linn-Mar regional, Washington will see familiar Mississippi Valley Conference foes Jefferson, Kennedy, the three Dubuque schools and host Linn-Mar. Second-ranked Bettendorf highlights a field that also includes Decorah and Vinton-Shellsburg. Iowa City High and Iowa City West are at Clinton, while Williamsburg competes at Southeast Polk.

Competition begins with diving Thursday at 5 p.m.

l Comments: douglas.miles@thegazette.com