Iowa high school girls’ swimming 2023: Gazette area teams and individuals to watch

A look at Gazette area teams and individuals to watch during the 2023 Iowa high school swimming and diving season this fall.

Teams to watch

Iowa City West — The Trojans will have new leadership this season as Ellen Robinson takes over for Byron Butler. West finished sixth at state last year, scoring 122 1/2 points but top performers Jade Roghair and Makala Hajek have graduated. Senior Kolby Reese is one of the state's top returning distance freestylers. Senior Carlee Wilkins also returns as does junior Ave Bilskemper.

Cedar Rapids Kennedy — Coach Chad Derlein's Cougars finished ninth at the state meet last year, finishing with 101 points. A solid senior group, headed up by state qualifiers Maria Trotta, Ellie Hance, Kylie Link and Katelyn Mackey. Other returning state qualifiers include junior Lilly Adams and sophomore Lilly Anctil. Freshman Shea Wilson is a versatile swimmer who should provide some depth. Derlein's biggest concern is a lack of overall depth, but is quick to add that there is plenty of talent, despite the lower numbers.

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“This group of swimmers and divers will definitely be one of the stronger teams I have coached,” Derlein said. “To guess what this team will do by the end of the season would be a total guess. I feel they will shock me and especially the state.”

Linn-Mar — The Lions were 10th at the state meet last year, finishing with 94 points. Hayley Kimmel, the leader of the 2022 team, is now swimming for the University of Iowa. Coach Charlie Hugo welcomes back a number of talented swimmers, headed up by senior Lucy Haars and junior Maura Carstensen. Other top returners include seniors Grace Whisenand, Mikala Schmidt and Ellie Junk along with junior Mehal Raghwani.

Individuals to watch

Lilly Adams, Cedar Rapids Kennedy, jr. — Finished 14th in the 100-yard backstroke at state (1:01.08) and 15th in 200 IM (2:12.91)

Maura Carstensen, Linn-Mar, jr. — Finished 15th in the 100 butterfly (1:01.27)

Lucy Haars, Linn-Mar, sr. — Finished 12th in the 100 freestyle (54.88) and 15th in the 200 freestyle (1:59.44)

Ellie Hance, Cedar Rapids Kennedy, sr. — Finished 11th in the 100 freestyle (54.78)

Grace Hoeper, Iowa City High, jr. — Defending state champion in the 50 free (23.34). Finished third in the 100 butterfly (55.94)

Kylie Link, Cedar Rapids Kennedy, sr. — Finished 13th in diving (426.30)

Katelyn Mackey, Cedar Rapids Kennedy, sr. — Finished 11th in diving (427.45)

Kolby Reese, Iowa City West, sr. — Finished sixth in the 200 freestyle (1:54.80) and seventh in the 400 freestyle (5:06.20)

Maria Trotta, Cedar Rapids Kennedy, sr. — Finished third in the 50 freestyle (24.58), and ninth in the 100 freestyle (54.08)

Carlee Wilkins, Iowa City West, sr. — Finished 13th in the 100 backstroke (1:00.85)