The Newton Colfax-Mingo Pella Aquagirls competed at the State Regional Qualifying Meet in Ames Friday afternoon. Five Aquagirls qualified in individual events and three relays are headed to the State Meet. Senior Addison Van Maanen advanced in the 200-yard Individual Medley with a time of 2:17.51, and the 100-yard Breaststroke in 1:08.62. Junior Harper Barton advanced in the 50-yard Freestyle and the 100-yard Breaststroke. Her 50-yard Freestyle time was 24.71, while she finished the 100-yard Breaststroke in 1:07.78. Senior Alex Riney will also compete at State in the 50-yard Freestyle with a time of 25.14. Senior Peyton Ray will be in the 100-yard Freestyle with a time of 54.77. Junior Tori White is on to State in the 100-yard Backstroke with a time of 1:02.41. The 200-yard Medley Relay and the 200-yard and 400-yard Freestyle Relay teams also advanced. The 200-yard Medley Relay’s time was 1:54.29 (Tori White, Addison Van Maanen, Izzy Lane, Paige Benson), The 200-yard Freestyle Relay finished in 1:40.34 (Peyton Ray, Tori White, Alex Riney, Harper Barton). The 400-yard Freestyle Relay team’s time was 3:41.74 (Peyton Ray, Alex Riney, Addison Van Maanen, Harper Barton).

NCMP Coach Nick Shelton hopes some of his swimmers can get top finishes and podium spots at the final meet of the fall.

“We are ranked 12th overall in the State now. The relays will be good. I would just like to see them drop a little time and compete for those top podium spots.”

Other schools at the Qualifying Meet yesterday included #4 Ames, Grinnell, Oskaloosa, Boone, Carroll, Fort Dodge, Cedar Rapids Jefferson, and Vinton-Shellsburg. The 2024 Iowa Girls State Swimming and Diving Meet will be held at the Marshalltown YMCA-YWCA this coming Friday and Saturday.