Iowa City West and Cedar Falls expected to battle for MVC girls’ swimming title again

Iowa City West has been the gold standard for girls’ swimming in the Mississippi Valley Conference in recent years.

The Trojans are the five-time defending conference champions. In 2022, West had to fight off a young Cedar Falls team to win the title by 19 points.

Both teams are strong again this season. West is ranked seventh in the state power rankings, just a few points ahead of the Tigers.

That should make for an interesting battle at this year's conference meet at Dubuque Hempstead.

The diving portion of the meet will be held Thursday at 5 p.m. with the swimming events set to start at noon on Saturday.

Ironically, the two teams have not met this season. Trojans Coach Sam Galvin believes that will add an element to the meet.

“It's always exciting to face any opponent, but with Cedar Falls so close in the rankings to us I think it will be a good challenge for the team,” she said. “These girls love a challenge and it is looking like Cedar Falls will be giving us that.”

West will lean heavily on a freshman in its attempt to defend the title. Hannah Geng has made a big splash in her first prep season. She is ranked among the top eight statewide in the 100- and 200-yard freestyles along with the 100 butterfly.

“Because of her young age at only being a freshman, she has set the bar high,” Galvin said. “She pushes our other top swimmers and that is something I love to see.”

Senior Kolby Reese and junior Averie Bilskemper were vital to West’s title run in 2022 and both have been solid again in 2023.

“I think for us to defend the title we have to show up with confidence, stay locked in and perform at 100 percent,” Galvin said. “That is something I am not worried about, the girls have been doing this all season.”

Depth of scoring in individual events and strong relay performances often make the difference in a close meet. Galvin believes the relays could be the deciding factor.

“We have some pretty strong relays and I think at this meet that will be a big factor in us being able to keep the title,” she said. “We have been looking forward to this meet, it will be a fun and challenging one.”

While the team race will likely center on the Trojans and the Tigers, there will be some individual standouts as well.

Iowa City High junior Grace Hoeper is the defending state champion in the 50 freestyle. She is ranked No. 1 in the state in that event (23.37 seconds) and also is first in the 100 free (50.73), 200 free (1:53.09) and the 100 butterfly (56.82). Her 5:06.33 time in the 500 ranks second.

Linn-Mar senior Grace Whisenand is third in the 100 backstroke (58.90) while Cedar Rapids Kennedy senior Maria Trotta ranks seventh in the 50 free (24.81) She finished third in the event at last year's state meet.