Powerhouse Waukee highlights girls’ swimming state-qualifying meet at Linn-Mar

Those attending Saturday’s girls’ state qualifying swim meet at the Linn-Mar Aquatics Center will have the opportunity to see one of the best girls’ swim programs in recent Iowa history.

Top-ranked Waukee is one of nine teams assigned to compete at Linn-Mar. The Warriors are two-time defending state champions and are an overwhelming favorite to win again.

While Saturday's meet will have area standouts — such as Iowa City High’s Grace Hoeper, the defending state 50-yard freestyle champion — Waukee's deep and talented team is littered with top performers.

Seniors Payden Rafferty, Nora Kemp and Taylor Judas, along with junior Willa Hage, all are ranked among the top five in multiple events. Heading into Saturday, Waukee has the top times statewide in four individual events and all three relays.

What makes it even more impressive is Waukee has only had a program since 2010.

“I was hired then as their first ever head coach,” Coach Shelley Twigg said. “I remember the first year we had one state qualifier and no relays.”

In 2014, the Warriors had their first state champion in Maddie Gehrke and things continued to grow from there to what it is today.

“This senior class is the most talented group of swimmers I have ever coached,” Twigg said. “I have known most of them since they were 7-8 years old when they swam for Waukee YMCA Rays.

“I think knowing them for so long and knowing their families has been such an amazing and rewarding experience for me.”

Last year, the Warriors won six events at state, scoring 402 points, becoming the first team to top 400. They could easily surpass that total this time around.

“(Swimming) is such a tough sport,” Twigg said. “It takes lots of hard work and dedication, but the girls have each other's back and we have one common goal of being the best team we can be.”

The mini dynasty will end after this year as the program will split in two with Waukee and Waukee Northwest having their own program to coincide with the opening of a new aquatic center. The facility will have two competition pools, one for each team.

Twigg said her team is looking forward to swimming Saturday at Linn-Mar.

“Although Linn-Mar is quite a trek for us, we are so excited to swim there,” she said. “It is an amazing facility, fast, and they always run their meets well.”

Area teams in the field are the host Lions, along with Cedar Rapids Jefferson, Iowa City High, Linn-Mar, Tipton, Vinton-Shellsburg and Williamsburg.

Diving will be held on Thursday, beginning at 5 p.m. Swimming events are set to start at noon on Saturday.