Xavier senior Maria Trotta has the drive to succeed in school and in the pool with Kennedy swim team

CEDAR RAPIDS — The ability has always been there. The confidence had to be nurtured.

For Maria Trotta, the road to swimming success has been as much mental as it has been physical.

Now a senior at Cedar Rapids Xavier, Trotta said there was only one path to meeting her high expectations.

“I have always had high expectations when it comes to swimming and have worked hard to try and meet them,” said Trotta, who swims for Cedar Rapids Kennedy. “However I did not always have the confidence. My sophomore year (Coach Chad Derlein) and the team environment helped me to develop that confidence when swimming.

“I believe that no matter how hard I work if I do not have a positive attitude about the sport then I will not swim my best.”

That confidence developed as a sophomore continued to build. Last year as a junior, Trotta finished third at state in the 50-yard freestyle (24.58), leading the Cougars to a ninth-place finish in the team race.

“From the day I met Maria I could tell she was motivated,” Derlein said. “If she was given a task, she would accomplish that task, both in the pool and out of the pool.

“Maria asks questions. She wants to learn and wants to succeed. There is that drive in her that is very apparent.”

Earning a podium finish last year in the 50 free at state is something Trotta always will cherish.

“It felt great to accomplish something that I had worked hard for all season,” she said. “Swimming against the best swimmers in Iowa is an amazing experience and that level of competition inspires and motivates me to keep working hard.”

Trotta, who also plays soccer at Xavier, began swimming because her mother believed the sport taught good life lessons. Those life lessons are now ones she gives to her younger teammates, according to Derlein.

“(Maria) is one that people feel comfortable to talk to with questions about swimming or in school,” he said. “Her drive in school is one of the reasons she is such a success in the pool. She knows what it takes to be successful and she follows through with that.”

For Trotta, being accepted by and becoming a part of the Kennedy swim family has contributed to her success

“As a swimmer coming from Xavier, this team has been such an honor to be a part of,” she said. “The girls are constantly cheering each other on and bringing people up.

“The seniors this year are all very talented. For example, Ellie Hance is one of the hardest workers I know and she has always pushed me at practice since freshman year. I am happy to say that this group of girls are some of my best friends.”

As for her future, Trotta's focus is on the upcoming season. Trotta plans to study nursing in college, but is unsure whether she wants to swim or play soccer.

“My personal goal for this year is to drop time in my races and ultimately win against myself,” Trotta said. “I love the competitive aspect of the sport, however if I can work hard enough to improve from previous years, I will leave my senior season feeling accomplished.”

The Cougars open at home on Tuesday night against Iowa City High, led by the defending state champion in the 50 free, Grace Hoeper.

TEAMS TO WATCH

Iowa City West — The Trojans will have new leadership this season as Ellen Robinson takes over for Byron Butler. West finished sixth at state last year, scoring 122.5 points but top performers Jade Roghair and Makala Hajek have graduated. Senior Kolby Reese is one of the state's top returning distance freestylers. Senior Carlee Wilkins also returns as does junior Ave Bilskemper.

C.R. Kennedy — Coach Chad Derlein's Cougars finished ninth at the state meet last year, finishing with 101 points. A solid senior group, headed up by state qualifiers Maria Trotta, Ellie Hance, Kylie Link and Katelyn Mackey. Other returning state qualifiers include junior Lilly Adams and sophomore Lilly Anctil. Freshman Shea Wilson is a versatile swimmer who should provide some depth. Derlein's biggest concern is a lack of overall depth, but is quick to add that there is plenty of talent, despite the lower numbers. "This group of swimmers and divers will definitely be one of the stronger teams I have coached," Derlein said. "To guess what this team will do by the end of the season would be a total guess. I feel they will shock me and especially the state."

Linn-Mar — The Lions were 10th at the state meet last year, finishing with 94 points. Hayley Kimmel, the leader of the 2022 team, is now swimming for the University of Iowa. Coach Charlie Hugo welcomes back a number of talented swimmers, headed up by senior Lucy Haars and junior Maura Carstensen. Other top returners include seniors Grace Whisenand, Mikala Schmidt and Ellie Junk along with junior Mehal Raghwani.

SWIMMERS TO WATCH

Lilly Adams, CR Kennedy, jr. — Finished 14th in the 100-yard backstroke at state (1:01.08) and 15th in 200 IM (2:12.91)

Maura Carstensen, Linn-Mar, jr. — Finished 15th in the 100 butterfly (1:01.27)

Lucy Haars, Linn-Mar, sr. — Finished 12th in the 100 freestyle (54.88) and 15th in the 200 freestyle (1:59.44)

Ellie Hance, CR Kennedy, sr. — Finished 11th in the 100 freestyle (54.78)

Grace Hoeper, IC High, jr.- Defending state champion in 50 free (23.34). Finished third in the 100 butterfly (55.94)

Kylie Link, CR Kennedy, sr.- Finished 13th in diving (426.30)

Katelyn Mackey, CR Kennedy, sr. — Finished 11th in diving (427.45)

Kolby Reese, IC West, sr. — Finished sixth in the 200 freestyle (1:54.80) and seventh in the 400 freestyle (5:06.20)

Maria Trotta, CR Kennedy, sr. — Finished third in the 50 freestyle (24.58), and ninth in the 100 freestyle (54.08)

Carlee Wilkins, IC West, sr. — Finished 13th in the 100 backstroke (1:00.85)