Cedar Rapids high school swimming expected to change in 2026

CEDAR RAPIDS — The high school swimming landscape in Cedar Rapids likely will be different at this time next year.

With the anticipated completion of the Prairie Summit YMCA pool in the spring of next year, all signs are pointing to Cedar Rapids Prairie having its own swim teams for both girls and boys, beginning with the 2026-27 school year. The new facility, located west of Prairie Heights Elementary School, was approved with the passage of a $43 million bond referendum by College Community School District voters in 2023

And no matter where she ends up coaching in 2026, there will be plenty of change for Jessica Hinke.

Since 2011 Prairie has been part of a co-op program with Cedar Rapids Jefferson and before that was in a co-op agreement with Williamsburg. Hinke, who swam for Jefferson from 2003-06, has coached the shared girls’ program since 2019 and has been a science teacher at Prairie since 2020.

Hinke is not sure where she will be coaching next year. She said Prairie will post its position later this fall, but adds she would not want the job if she was not the "candidate the district actually wants."

"Over the last six years, Prairie has been very accommodating toward my coaching contract with Jefferson," she said. " (As plans for Prairie's new pool have developed), I've made sure to keep (Jefferson athletics director Chris Deam) in the loop. The last thing I want to do is blindside Jefferson in this transition.

"I have loved coaching at Jefferson — I feel comfortable and supported there. We have routines that are predictable and we know exactly what to expect when it comes to the swim teams, athletic trainer, and Performance PE/weight training. At the end of this season, I'm going to be really sad. I won't be everyone's head coach next year. And right now, I don't know which team I will be a part of."

With her unique perspective of being at both schools, Hinke has become what she calls the "unofficial contact person" at Prairie for anything regarding swimming.

"I've gotten to know a lot of the swim families and I've been able to help teach a lot of kids how to swim, and played a big role in introducing a lot of kids to competitive swimming," she said.

However, the ties to her alma mater are just as strong.

"I definitely feel like my heart is being ripped in two," she said. "I've always thought Prairie should have their own pool and their own swim team but at the same time, I'm a Jefferson alum and I will always 'bleed blue.'

"I loved being part of the Jefferson swim team in high school and I've loved coaching Jefferson swimming the last few years."

The expected final season for the shared program began Tuesday night at Dubuque Wahlert. Hinke has a youthful, enthusiastic group in what she calls a "rebuilding year."

Hinke's stated goal for this season is to leave both schools in the best position possible for next season. Her current team has eight athletes from Prairie and 16 from Jefferson.

"I was pleasantly surprised with the number of new Jefferson swimmers and divers this year," she said "I wasn't expecting many new Prairie swimmers this year, but there are a bunch of eighth-graders who already swim competitively or worked with us at swim camp one of the last two summers, so next year's freshman group at Prairie will be a big one."

As the season begins, Hinke said the focus should be on the present.

"One thing that I will be reminding myself (and the swimmers) is that we should only concern ourselves with what we can control — next season is out of our control right now, " she said. "We need to live in the moment and do the best we can right now. That means coaching all of my swimmers and divers to be the best they can be, living in the moment and focusing on what we can control right now."

Teams to watch

CR Washington — Megan Lewis is beginning her 19th season coaching the Warriors. Her team will be led by one of the up and coming swimmers in the area in sophomore Jada Ripke, who finished 11th at state as a freshman in the 100-yard backstroke. Another top returner for the Warriors is senior Lily Belle Barker, one of the most versatile athletes in the state. She finished 14th at state in the 100 breaststroke last year and will, for the first time, swim and play tennis in the same season after playing both tennis and golf in the spring during her first three years. "Girls had to choose (between tennis and swimming) and we lost one completely," Lewis said. "We are balancing many others. We have a strong team returning though and the team bonding will more than make up for some of that."

IC West — The Trojans have a new coach this season as Sonja Bruxvoort moves up to the varsity level after coaching at the junior high level for several years. Her Trojans are ranked No. 6 in the Iowa High School Swimming Coaches Association preseason ranking. West has the top returning state finisher in the area in junior Hannah Geng. She was fifth in the 100 freestyle and seventh in the 200 freestyle. Senior Gretchen Gerke finished 14th in the 500 freestyle. West also has added Greta Huberg to its team. The sophomore, who swam last year at Linn-Mar, finished 11th at state in the 500 freestyle. "I believe in the power of team culture, and I'm excited to build strong traditions, lasting bonds, and a program our swimmers, schools, and community can be proud of," Bruxvoort said when she was hired in May.

Linn-Mar — The Lions also have a new leader this season as Samantha Armbrust takes over a team big on numbers. Linn-Mar is ranked No. 12 in the preseason coaches poll. Senior Tori Sletteland finished 15th in diving at state last year while sophomore Mackenzie Tristan finished 16th in the 500 freestyle.

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Swimmers/Divers to watch

Lily Anctil, CR Kennedy, sr. — Finished 11th in the 50 freestyle (24.92) and 11th in the 100 butterfly (59.42)

Lily Belle Barker, CR Washington, sr. — Finished 14th in the 100 breaststroke (1:08.09)

Hannah Geng, IC West, jr. — Finished fifth at state in the 100 freestyle (52.82) and seventh in the 200 freestyle (1:54.77)

Gretchen Gerke, IC West, sr. — Finished 14th in the 500 freestyle (5:20.95)

Greta Huberg, IC West, soph. — Finished 11th in the 500 freestyle (5:18.00)

Jada Ripke, CR Washington, soph. — Finished 11th in the 100 backstroke (1:00.61)

Tori Sletteland, Linn-Mar, sr. — Finished 15th at state in diving (353.35)

Mackenzie Tristan, Linn-Mar, soph. — Finished 16th in the 500 freestyle (5:38.90)