Byron Butler picked to lead Iowa City West boys’ swimming

IOWA CITY - Iowa City West girls' swimming coach Byron Butler has been tabbed to lead the boys' swimming team pending school board approval, West Athletics Director Craig Huegel told The Gazette on Tuesday.

Butler, 25, succeeds two-time state championship coach Rob Miecznikowski, who was named head coach of the men's and women's swimming and diving teams at St. Ambrose University in September.

Butler was a boys' swimming assistant coach under Miecznikowski and concludes his second season as head coach of the girls' swimming team this Saturday at the state championship meet in Marshalltown. Butler will continue to serve as girls' swimming coach.

A native of New Berlin, Wis., Butler was a three-time Wisconsin high school state champion before swimming collegiately at the University of Iowa.

At the time of his graduation, Butler held school records in the 100-yard backstroke, 200 backstroke, 100-yard butterfly and two relays - the 200-yard medley and 400 medley.

Butler will try to replace three Division-I swimmers in Mark McGlaughlin (North Carolina State), Aidan Keen (Missouri) and Will Scott (Iowa) when practice begins Nov. 7.

West won boys' swimming state titles in 2014 and 2015.

l Comments: douglas.miles@thegazette.com