Lions roar to state relay title

MARSHALLTOWN - Members of the Linn-Mar girls swim team had the motto, 'You can't touch this."

Well, maybe MC Hammer will be available to perform at the Lions' postseason awards banquet.

The Linn-Mar 200 free relay couldn't be touched Saturday, as Emilie Berg, Lizzie Adams, Lauren Dalecky and Alex Dunn raced to a state title at the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union state meet at the Marshalltown YMCA.

The Lions eclipsed the school's 200 free relay record at last weekend's regional meet and broke it again, finishing in 1:38.60. They edged West Des Moines Valley by .05 seconds.

Dunn said it was the best way to end her senior season.

“This whole year we've been practicing and practicing, but we never knew that we were this close,” Dunn said. “We never knew we were going to be winning. To be up on that podium it felt phenomenal.”

Adams put the Lions in front during the second leg, recording a 24.44 split, which proved to be the difference versus the Valley team that competed in the first heat. Dalecky maintained the lead in the final heat.

Dunn envisioned bringing home the gold with her final 50-yard sprint. As she emerged from the water for the final stretch, the victory became evident.

“When I took my breath I saw there was no one really by me,” Dunn said. “I smiled, because I knew I had it.

“I couldn't wait to touch the wall and get out and celebrate.”

Berg, a senior, opened the race and then watched everything unfold. The event seemed surreal, especially with the same foursome began the day placing sixth in the 200 medley relay.

“I was just so excited,” Berg said. “I still can't believe it.”

Linn-Mar Coach Chad Derlein was just as excited, cheering the team on during the race. He pumped his arms in the air and yelled more furiously as the race progressed.

"That was amazing," Derlein said. "They busted their butts. They got what they wanted. I couldn't be happier."

Berg's day became more special when she claimed a bronze medal in the 100 breaststroke. She had just missed podium finishes each of her first three years in that event, which is her strongest race. She wiped away those disappointments, touching the wall in 1:06.78.

“I'm still in shock,” Berg said. “I'm really happy my hard work has paid off.”

The difference was more in her mind than Berg's ability. She stuck to a strategy and was prepared to perform her best, helping the Lions place eighth in the team standings with 114.5 points.

“I learned what to do before my races,” Berg said. “Really it was a mental game for me.

“I went out there, told myself I could do it and I did it.”

Decorah's Allison Orvis captured gold last year, and had to settle for two more silvers

Orvis owned the fastest qualifying time after posting the best regional time in state history. She improved on that mark, but it wasn't enough to beat Mason City's Emma Sougstad, who won with a time of 2:03.14. She shattered the old mark of 2:04.24 set by Danielle Harris of West Des Moines Valley in 2008.

"The most important thing is obviously dropping time, and I did that so I'm really excited," Orvis said. "It was a good race, racing against Emma. She did awesome. She deserves it."

Orvis, the 2010 champion, led through the first two strokes, but Sougstad, named most outstanding swimmer, caught her on the 50 breaststroke and held the lead in the final leg. Her time would have been title-worthy for all but one other year.

"Overall, it was hers," said Orvis, who will swim for the University of Iowa next year. "She did really great, but I'm happy."

The pair had a showdown again in the 100 butterfly. Sougstad edged Orvis again. Orvis finished in 56.49, just .07 seconds behind Sougstad.

"When we met up again, we're like 'Alright, Round 2' against each other," said Orvis, whose runner-up times were in top five all-time at state in the respective events. "We gave it our all and did our best and it was very close. It was a great race."

Cedar Rapids Washington's Jackie Hughes produced her own great race. The Warrior sophomore placed second in the 500 free, coming in at 5:08.97.

“It was definitely a goal of mine,” Hughes said. “I've raced these girls before. I know how they swim. My taper obviously worked really well. It was just really fun. I knew I could do it.”

Hughes took the blocks after her pre-race ritual of stretching and adjusting her goggles and knew it was "go-time." She shed nearly seven seconds off her qualifying time. All the hard work that led up to the championship season provided additional motivation.

“I just had a really good taper,” said Hughes, praising Washington head coach Megan Lewis. “She works us hard this season. We ran stairs and came in every morning. I feel like after everything … it made me want it so much more than I ever thought I could.”

Iowa City West came away with the biggest medal haul, placing sixth with 138 points. Lilian Zhu placed third in the 100 fly and fifth in the 200 free. Tereysa Lehnertz was fifth and sixth in the 100 fly and 200 IM. Savannah Butler was sixth in the 100 breaststroke, and all three were a part of their medal-winning 200 medley and 400 free relays.

Ames won with 336, capturing six titles including Friday night's diving competition. West Des Moines Valley was a distant second with 246 and Cedar Falls was third with 177.