With superior depth, Linn-Mar claims MVC boys’ swimming championship

Linn-Mar’s Blake Behrens competes in the 200 yard individual medley during the Boys’ Varsity MVC Championship Meet at the Linn-Mar Aquatic Center in Marion on Saturday January 21, 2023. Behrens placed third with a time of 1:58.90. (Cliff Jette/Freelance)

MARION — Tom Belin laughed when reminded of his comment leading up to Saturday's Mississippi Valley Conference Super Meet.

The veteran Linn-Mar boys’ swimming coach predicted that the meet would likely go down to the final event to decide a winner.

Belin's athletes had other ideas.

The fifth-ranked Lions won just three of the 11 events contested at the Linn-Mar Aquatic Center, but used their superior depth to rack up the points and win their first MVC team title in six seasons.

Linn-Mar's depth had the title secured before the final relay was even contested. The Lions finished with 326 points. Cedar Falls (286 1/2) edged Iowa City West (286) for runner-up honors while Cedar Rapids Washington took fourth with 280.

“What happened today was clearly a team victory,” Belin said with a smile. “We didn't win many events, but if you go back and look at the scoring, it was a total team effort and that's what we had today.”

Although Linn-Mar didn't rack up many wins, the Lions had top-three finishers in nine of the 11 events.

“Everybody performed as well as they could,” said Lions senior Blake Behrens. “This was something we haven't done (winning an MVC title) in six years. We've had a lot of great talent come through this program so winning today means a lot.”

Two of Linn-Mar's three wins came in the relays with Behrens and fellow senior Ryan Horsey leading the way. Belin was quick to point out just how much those two have helped set the tone.

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“That's what makes this team good,” he said. “We've had guys who have stepped up and maybe would not have had the opportunity if it weren't for certain circumstances that gave them the chance. The athletes we have on this team have risen to the moment.”

One of those who has met almost every challenge this year is Hudson Huberg. The freshman was Linn-Mar's lone individual winner, taking the 50-yard freestyle in 21.43 seconds and anchoring Lion wins in the 200 medley and 200 free relays.

“Hudson is a great example of a guy who has worked on the little things,” Belin said. “He has such a bright future. He is a talented swimmer who is still learning to do so many things. He really performed well today.”

Huberg was happy with his first MVC meet.

“I have to admit I was a little nervous before the 50 free,” he said. “It certainly helped swimming in our pool. It is my favorite pool to compete in.”

Behrens said he and some of his teammates were going to celebrate after the meet with a night of eating pizza.

“We're all tired, but we know there is more to accomplish,” he said. “We're going to enjoy this, then get back to work for districts next week.”

Iowa City West's Holden Carter was a double winner, taking titles in the 100 butterfly and 100 backstroke. Iowa City High also had a double winner in Joe Polyak. The Little Hawk standout captured the 200 IM and 100 breaststroke gold medals.

MVC Super Meet

At Linn-Mar Aquatic Center

Final Team Standings: 1. Linn-Mar 326, 2. Cedar Falls 286.5, 3. Iowa City West 286, 4. Cedar Rapids Washington 280, 5. Iowa City High 242, 6. Dubuque Hempstead 227, 7. Dubuque Senior 149, 8. Cedar Rapids Kennedy 84, 9. Cedar Rapids Jefferson 71, 10. Waterloo 60.5.

200-yard medley relay: 1. Linn-Mar (Parker Macho, Blake Behrens, Colin Taylor, Hudson Huberg) 1:37.43, 2. I.C. West (Holden Carter, Winston Fan, Ian Caballero, Christian Janis) 1:38.25, 3. C.R. Washington (Caio Carvalho, Brian Forester, Seth Williams, Marcus Seifert) 1:39.81.

200 freestyle: 1. John Butler (CF) 1:44.51, 2. Max Gerke (ICW) 1:45.47, 3. Lukas Swanson (ICW) 1:47.89.

200 individual medley: 1. Joe Polyak (ICH) 1:55.63, 2. Cole Wilson (CF) 1:58.03, 3. Blake Behrens (LM) 1:58.90.

50 freestyle: 1. Hudson Huberg (LM) 21.43, 2. John Weigel (ICH) 21.63, 3. Marcus Seifert (CRW) 22.16.

100 butterfly: 1. Holden Carter (ICW) 50.50, 2. Parker Macho (LM) 53.23, 3. Cole Wilson (CF) 54.00

100 freestyle: 1. John Weigel (ICH) 46.84, 2. Hudson Huberg (LM) 47.09, 3. Ian Lucas (CRW) 48.90

500 freestyle: 1. Max Gerke (ICW) 4:51.52, Lukas Swanson (IC West) 4:55.45, 3. Connor Schaffel (LM) 4:57.26.

200 freestyle relay: 1. Linn-Mar (Blake Behrens, Ryan Horsey, Colin Taylor, Hudson Huberg) 1:27.68, 2. I.C. High (Charlie Pfohl, Kento Yahashiri, Joe Polyak, John Wiegel) 1:29.70, 3. Cedar Falls (Drew Langner, Jack Considine, John Butler, Cole Wilson) 1:30.15.

100 backstroke: 1. Holden Carter (ICW) 51.90, 2. John Butler (CF) 52.59, 3. Parker Macho (LM) 54.26.

100 breaststroke: 1. Joe Polyak (ICH) 58.06, 2. Blake Behrens (LM) 59.36, 3. Kento Yahashiri (ICH) 1:00.38.

400 freestyle relay: 1. I.C. West (Lukas Swanson, Max Gerke, Holden Carter, Winston Fan) 3:14.64, 2. I.C. High (Charlie Pfohl, Philip Berry-Stoelze, Joe Polyak, John Weigel) 3:16.37, 3. Cedar Falls (Drew Langner, Liam McGrane, Cole Wilson, John Butler) 3:17.06.

MVC Valley Division Athlete of the Year: Holden Carter, Iowa City West

MVC Valley Division Coaching Staff of the Year: Head Coach Tom Belin and the Linn-Mar coaching staff

MVC Mississippi Valley Division Athlete of the year: John Butler, Cedar Falls

MVC Mississippi Division Coaching Staff of the Year: Head Coach Cliff Paulsen and the Cedar Falls coaching staff