Iowa high school girls’ swimming 2022: Area teams and individuals to watch

Gazette area teams and individuals to watch for the 2022 Iowa high school girls’ swimming and diving season.

Teams to watch

Cedar Rapids Kennedy — The Cougars were a deep team last season and that depth allowed them to finish 10th at state with 82 points and as a runner-up to Iowa City West in the Mississippi Valley Conference meet. Senior diver Lacey Neighbor is back after finishing seventh at state. Junior Maria Trotta was 10th in the 50 freestyle. Senior Casey Gannon, juniors Kylie Kink, Ellie Hance and Meera Julka all were state qualifiers in 2021. A pair of versatile freshmen, Lilly Anctil and Laynie Adams, will add to Kennedy's depth. “We have a young, talented group of swimmers and divers added to our already strong upperclassmen,” said Kennedy Coach Chad Derlein. “It looks very promising for us to have success with this talented group of kids”

Iowa City West — Coach Byron Butler's team finished third at state last year behind Ames and champion Waukee. The ninth-year head coach said this is a year of opportunity for the Trojans, who lost several key components from that team including Scarlet Martin, now swimming at Iowa. Senior Jade Roghair placed in the top six in two individual events. Senior Makala Hajek, along with juniors Kolby Reese and Carlee Wilkins also scored at state. Freshman Gretchen Gerke joins the team this year and could provide depth in the distance events. “I think we are in a rebuilding year in some ways,” Butler said. “There are still some great pieces for a solid team but it is going to be so much fun seeing some of our girls move into leadership positions and get opportunities to compete in areas they weren't able to because of our last two strong senior groups.”

Linn-Mar — Lions senior Hayley Kimmel is the top returning area state placewinner. The University of Iowa commit was second in 200 IM, helping Linn-Mar to seventh-place state finish. Kimmel also was fourth in the 100 breaststroke. Several other state qualifiers, including seniors Emily Brennom and Kate Denner, juniors Lucy Haars, Mikala Schmidt and Ellie Junk, along with sophomores Libby Richard, Mehal Raghwani and Maura Carstensen also return. Freshmen Izzy Telisak and Ava Winn should also contribute. “We are returning a good portion of our championship team this season and bringing in a promising freshman group,” said Coach Charlie Hugo. “Others on the team have been putting in time over the summer to improve and gain a spot at state.”

Individuals to watch

Natalie Freeman, Cedar Rapids Jefferson, sr. — Finished fifth at state in diving with 451.25 points.

Makala Hajek, Iowa City West, jr. — Finished ninth at state in the 200 IM (2:11.69).

Isabel Hawker, Cedar Rapids Washington, sr. — Finished 10th at state in diving with 440.30 points.

Grace Hoeper, Iowa City High, soph. — Finished fifth at state in the 100 free (52.82) and sixth in the 50 free (24.06).

Hayley Kimmel, Linn-Mar, sr. — University of Iowa commit finished second at state in the 200 IM (2:04.55) and fourth in the 100 breaststroke (1:04.39).

Lacey Neighbor, Cedar Rapids Kennedy, sr. — Finished seventh at state in diving with 447 points.

Kolby Reese, Iowa City West, jr. — Finished ninth at state in the 200 free (1:55.69) and 10th in the 500 free (5:09.25).

Jade Roghair, Iowa City West, sr. — Finished third at state in the 200 free (1:52.58) and sixth in the 500 free (5:02.88)

Maria Trotta, Cedar Rapids Kennedy, jr. — Finished 10th at state in the 50 free (24.67).