Iowa City West has boys’ swim team to beat this season

IOWA CITY — Adding one piece of unexpected additional talent on a high school roster is a bonus.

The Iowa City West boys’ swimming team got a double bonus for the 2025-26 swim season.

In May, the school announced the return of Byron Butler as head coach. Then in the summer, the Trojan got an influx of talent when Hudson Huberg, a three-year state placewinner at Linn-Mar, moved here with his family for his senior year.

Those additions plus the return of several key components from last year's state runner-up team likely makes West the team to beat when the state meet rolls around in February.

Butler led the boys’ and girls’ swim teams at West from 2016 to 2022, winning a boys’ state title in 2020. Under his leadership, the Trojans were the class of the Mississippi Valley Conference with the boys’ team securing four consecutive MVC titles from 2019 to 2022, and the girls’ team capturing five straight from 2018 to 2022.

For Butler, who also teaches science at West, there were a number of factors that led to his return.

"Mostly, I love coaching, and I missed it," he said. "Having the opportunity to develop young people, both in and out of the pool, is incredibly rewarding. Seeing them voluntarily take on something so challenging at a high level inspires me every day."

There will be plenty of talent for Butler to develop this season. In his three years at Linn-Mar, Huberg had a second-place state finish in the 100-yard freestyle, two thirds in the 50 free and a third in the 200 free.

"Hudson clearly brings a lot to the team in terms of talent," Butler said. "He is a multiple-time A finalist (at state) as an individual and will be a huge addition to our relays.

"Most importantly, he has already proven to be a relaxing presence around his teammates. Hudson is an extremely hard worker and is incredibly coachable. We are really lucky to have him."

Huberg's addition will fill the void left by the graduation of Hayden Hakes, a two-time state champ now swimming for Arizona State. As for the other returning swimmers, Butler was quick to credit Zach Armstrong, who led the program the last two seasons.

"Zach did an excellent job over the last two years, so shout out to him," Butler said. "We do have most of our state team back, and Hudson will be able to fill some of the void left by Hayden's graduation."

Senior Winston Fan posted a pair of third-place finishes at state in the 100 butterfly and 100 breaststroke. Junior Ethan Landon was third in the 100 back and senior Oliver Mikulski was seventh in the 50 free. All three were part of the state champion 200 medley relay team with Hakes. Senior Nikolai Paulson and sophomores Evan Staber and Jack Tunwall were also state qualifiers.

Butler and his team are not shying away from the expectations.

"We are currently working hard in the weight room and pool," he said. "Strengthening bonds between teammates has been a big priority, too. I'm very lucky to have a young and energetic staff to assist me. Overall, this group has a very high ceiling."

West opens its season with a dual meet on Dec. 2 at Cedar Rapids Kennedy.

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Boys’ swimming 2025-26

Teams to watch

C.R. Washington — Matt Sinnott is beginning his fifth year as the Warriors' head coach. Washington finished 12th at state last year and returns senior Andrew Seifert, who finished second at state in the 200-yard individual medley and the 100 breaststroke. Fellow seniors Gavin Lucas and Remy Barton, along with juniors Peter Wittnebel and Anthony Trotta, also were state qualifiers. Freshman Jacob Nizolek will provide depth in the distance freestyle events. "I'm excited about our team this year," Sinnott said. "Everyone from top to bottom. I can’t wait to get the season started. We have great senior leadership with Seifert, Lucas, and Barton."

I.C. West — The Trojans finished second at state to fellow MVC member Dubuque Hempstead. After a two-year hiatus, Byron Butler returns as head coach. Seniors Winston Fan and Oliver Miikulski and junior Ethan Landon all were state place-winners and were on West's state-winning 200 medley relay team. Senior Nikolai Paulson and sophomores Evan Staber and Jack Tunwall also were state qualifiers. West also added a key transfer in senior Hudson Huberg, who was a multiple-time state place-winner in his three years at Linn-Mar. "We have several point scorers and qualifiers from last year’s second place state team," Butler said. "We will be looking to move guys up into scoring position, adding a third relay that qualifies, and building some depth for MVC duals and invites."

Linn-Mar — The Lions were fourth at state last year with 172.5 points and have a new coach this season as George Durin takes over. Even with the loss of Huberg to West, Linn-Mar has plenty of talent returning, headed up by senior Parker Macho, who won a pair of state titles last season. Juniors Rylee Sieren and Carter Byers along with sophomore Max Macho also swam at state last year. Freshmen Clayton Treharne, Bradyn Weis and Everett Burr will provide depth in several events. "We have a very deep team, a very young team," Durin said. "We'll be trying to put together the best line to maximize points with so many different options, which is a great problem to have"

Swimmers to watch

Philip Berry-Stoelzle, IC High, sr. — Finished sixth at state in the 200 freestyle (1:42.67) and seventh in the 100 freestyle (46.53).

Winston Fan, IC West, sr. — Finished third at state in the 100 butterfly (48.93) and 100 breaststroke (55.88)

Hudson Huberg, IC West, sr. — Finished second at state in the 100 freestyle (45.47) and third in the 200 freestyle (1:38.74)

Ethan Landon, IC West, jr. — Finished third as state in the 100 backstroke (50.38)

Parker Macho, Linn-Mar, sr. — Won state titles in the 200 IM (1:48.46) and the 100 butterfly (47.97)

Oliver Mikulski, IC West, sr. — Finished seventh at state in the 50 freestyle (21.42)

Andrew Seifert, CR Washington, sr. — Finished second at state in the 200 IM (1:48.69) and the 100 breaststroke (53.43)