Newton Colfax-Mingo Pella Swimming Coach Nick Shelton expects a number of the Aquagirls to do well at the State Qualifying Meet in Ames Saturday. One swimmer has already qualified for the State Meet. Junior Harper Barton will compete in the 50-yard Freestyle and the 100-yard Freestyle. Shelton believes several other Aquagirls will advance as well.

“I am hoping for at least five individual events. I think if we swim our best, that’s what we are going to get. The relays will definitely qualify. We are tenth in the 200-yard Freestyle, fourteenth in the 400-yard Freestyle, and sixteenth in the Medley Relay.”

Shelton notes Ames, the host school for the Qualifying Meet, is ranked #4. Other schools at the meet include 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 November 15 and 16.