Schaffel finishes runner-up in 200-yard medley

IOWA CITY - Linn-Mar's Caite Schaffel admitted the atmosphere was different.

Even though the Lion freshman has competed in a large number of club meets, she said her first state meet as a prep was something different.

"There was a lot more competition out here today because I have aged up," she said after posting a second-place finish in the 200-yard individual medley. "I was expecting a lot more from myself but I guess this wasn't the right time or it wasn't my day."

Schaffel's runner-up finish to West Des Moines Dowling sophomore Kimber Corwin was the best individual performance from a Gazette area swimmer on Friday afternoon at the University of Iowa's Campus Wellness and Recreation Center pool.

Corwin's win was the only one in an individual event for the Maroons, but Dowling used its depth and relay strength to run away with the team title for a second straight year, scoring 340 points. Cedar Falls was second with 264, followed by Waukee Northwest (250).

Led by Schaffel, who also placed fourth in the 100 breaststroke, Linn-Mar finished eighth with 99 points. Iowa City West tied for 10th with 63.

One thing Schaffel failed to mention in her post-meet interview was an injury she suffered in the week leading up to state. Lion Coach Jayden Steffen had to bring it up.

"Last week, she broke her finger," said the first-year Lion coach. "She did it in warm-up and none of us were expecting that. I think that kind of threw her for a loop."

Even with the obstacles, Schaffel had a strong showing in her first state meet. She was part of the Lions' fourth-place finish in the 200 medley relay to open the meet on Friday and anchored the 400 free relay to an eighth-place finish.

"I certainly hope I can take that next step next season," Schaffel said. "I was so happy with the way we performed as a team."

Linn-Mar finished 25th at state last year. Steffen believes the team will get nothing but better next year, adding that there are some eighth-graders coming in who should make the program even stronger."

"I am so ridiculously proud of these kids," Steffen said. "We've had a rough season. I wasn't even the head coach to start the season. I took over a month into the season and these girls just kicked butt."

Another freshman to watch over the next three years is Iowa City West's Nora Landon. She finished third in the 50 freestyle and came back later to take fifth in the 100 butterfly.

Cedar Rapids Washington's 200 medley relay of Jada Ripke, Lily Belle Barker, Zoey Jones and Maija Wickum took seventh in 1:50.81. Cedar Rapids Kennedy's 200 free relay of Lilly Anctil, Lucy Nunez, Abby Faughn and Shea Wilson was eighth in 1:39.72.