Mike Condon

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.

Over the years, those traditions have evolved for both the sports and the athletes in those sports. Another evolution will take place starting Thursday as the state swimming and diving meet will be held here for the first time at University of Iowa’s Campus Recreation and Wellness Center.

Girls’ swimming: Lions finished second at Ames regional; Iowa City was second in Marshalltown. State meet is Thursday and Friday in Iowa City

The No. 2 Wildcats, after losing in the semifinals last year to BCLUW, now have a shot to win the school's seventh state title after taking down No. 3 North Tama, 25-19, 25-19, 25-19 on Wednesday night at Xtream Arena.

The senior, who will play collegiately at Creighton, was the driving force for Hinton in Wednesday's Class 2A state semifinal match against No. 2 Dike-New Hartford. She had 30 kills and was all over the court on defense with 16 digs as the Blackhawks won in four sets, 25-23, 25-21, 19-25, 25-17.

No. 2 Assumption's 21-25, 25-17, 25-17, 25-16 victory at Xtream Arena put it in position to win the school's second state title. Assumption, which has been at state 11 times since making its first trip in 2012, refocused after the loss in the first set.

Oldenkamp's second-ranked squad was locked in from start to finish in Wednesday's Class 4A semifinal matchup with No. 3 Pella, posting a 25-20, 25-12, 25-23 win at Xtream Arena.

The Jaguars advanced to Thursday's 10 a.m. Class 5A state title match against Northwest with an impressive sweep over No. 7 West Des Moines Valley in the semifinals on Wednesday morning at Xtream Arena.

Two months into her high school career, Schaffel already has established herself as one of the state's best. Entering Saturday's regional competition, she has the state's best time in the 200-yard individual medley (2:05.70) and is second in the 100 breaststroke (1:04.27).

The victory sends North Tama (29-13) into a 6:25 p.m. semifinal match on Wednesday against Janesville, a four-set winner over Gladbrook-Reinbeck.

Janesville head coach Shelly Sorensen gave a “pep talk” between the second and third set that pushed the Wildcats into the semifinals in the Iowa High School Volleyball State Tournament

The difference ended up being the two supporting casts. No. 3 Hinton had an advantage in the size department and it ended up being the difference in a 25-18, 25-17, 20-25, 25-23 win for the Blackhawks.

Wolverines top Aplington-Parkersburg in state volleyball quarterfinal, 3-0

Coach Rusty Wintermote gets first win in four tries at Xtream Arena in Coralville

Knights advance to Class 3A semifinals with sweep of Hawks