Girls’ swimming preview: Area swimmers and teams to watch

A look at area swimmers and teams to watch this fall.

Swimmers

Emma Bachelder, so., Decorah — Four-event state qualifier in 2016, including the 50 freestyle (15th) and 100 breaststroke (17th).

Emma Behrens, sr., Linn-Mar, — Qualified for state in two relays last season for the Lions.

Elly Bryant, jr, Cedar Rapids Washington — 2016 state qualifier in 100 backstroke.

Lily Ernst, so., Iowa City West — Four-event state qualifier in 2016, including 200 individual medley and 100 butterfly.

Sarah Gannon, sr., Cedar Rapids Kennedy — Three-time state qualifier in 500 free.

Lauren Havertape, sr., Cedar Rapids Washington — Three-time state qualifier in the 100 butterfly (two top-10 finishes) and the 50 free. Two-time all-Mississippi Valley Conference in the 100 butterfly and an all-MVC selection in the 50 free as a sophomore.

Melanie Housenga, sr., Iowa City West — All-MVC performer in the 200 IM and the 500 free in 2016 and a two-time state qualifier in both.

Jenny Hughes, sr., Cedar Rapids Washington — Twice placed ninth at state in the 500 free. 2016 All-MVC performer in the 500 freestyle and 100 breaststroke. 200 free state qualifier in 2016, 100 breast state qualifier in 2015.

Jill Hughes, jr., Cedar Rapids Washington — All-MVC and a state qualifier in 200 IM and 500 free last season.

Shannon Kelley, so., Linn-Mar — State qualifier in 200 freestyle relay as a freshman.

Kassidy Lovig, jr., Cedar Rapids Kennedy — Two-time state qualifier in the 200 free and the 500. All-MVC in both as a freshman in 2015.

Mackinzee Macho, sr., Cedar Rapids Kennedy — All-MVC in the 100 butterfly last season, all-MVC in the 200 individual medley and the 100 breaststroke in 2016. Two-time state qualifier in the 200 IM and the 100 fly.

Darby Manternach, sr., Cedar Rapids Kennedy — Two-time state qualifier in the 50 free.

Ruby Martin, sr., Iowa City West — 2016 junior national champion, 2017 U.S. Open champion in the 200 butterfly. Finished two spots shy of qualifying for the 2016 Rio Olympics in the 200 butterfly with a fourth-place finish at the Olympic Trials in Omaha. One of the top 50 200 butterfly swimmers in the world.

Caitlin Sievers, sr., Cedar Rapids Washington — Two-time state qualifier in the 100 breaststroke.

Alleyna Thomas, sr., Iowa City West — All-MVC and a state qualifier in the 200 free in 2016. Two-time state qualifier in the 500 free.

Josie Thompson, sr., Cedar Rapids Jefferson — Two-time state qualifier in the 100 butterfly.

Carly Weigel, so., Iowa City High — All-MVC and a state qualifier in the 200 free. State qualifier in the 100 back.

Teams

Iowa City West — Any team adding a swimmer with Ruby Martin's talents will be one to watch. Coach Byron Butler's Women of Troy should be able to lean heavily on the world-class swimmer's talents to score big points. Adding Martin to returning state qualifiers, Lily Ernst, Melanie Housenga and Alleyna Thomas make West a likely MVC contender. Freshmen Aurora Roghair, Vivian Gibson and Lexi Janik have the potential to provide depth in several events. 'We have a lot of young, committed talent coming in,' Butler said. 'It will be fun and interesting bringing them all together.'

Cedar Rapids Washington — Coach Megan Lewis' team welcomes back six state qualifiers, led by seniors Jenny Hughes, Lauren Havertape and Caitlin Sievers. The Warriors finished 17th at state last year and have the potential to improve that standing. 'We are heavy in numbers in our freshman and senior classes,' said Lewis, starting her 10th season at Wash. 'Melding a group of talented girls without graduating much and adding in some talented freshmen will make things interesting.'

Linn-Mar — The Lions are blessed with a large number of athletes with 46 girls listed on the roster. State champion Kelsey Drake has graduated, but Coach Chad Derlein has a talented group returning and an incoming freshman class with extensive club experience. Seniors Katie Dennis, Emma Behrens and Caitlyn Nuehring were in the state meet in 2016. 'We will have a much deeper team than we have had in the past,' Derlein said. 'We will have more options in our meet lineups.'