Newton Colfax-Mingo Pella Aquagirl Harper Barton will compete in two individual events and two relays at the State Swim Meet in Marshalltown later this week. Her freshman and sophomore seasons also ended at the state meet. This Friday, she’ll be competing in the 50-yard Freestyle and the 100-yard Breaststroke, along with the 200-yard Freestyle and 400-yard Freestyle Relays. Barton believes she’ll be better prepared to do well this year.

“The atmosphere is so electric and it gets so loud sometimes you can’t even hear yourself think. As a freshman I was like “‘wow.’. Then my sophomore year, I kind of knew the ropes. Now in my Junior year, I just go do it again.”

Seniors Peyton Ray, Alex Riney, and Addison Van Maanen will also compete in individual events and relays at the state swim meet along with Junior Tori White. Seniors Paige Benson and Izzy Lane will just be competing in relays. The 2024 Iowa Girls State Swimming and Diving Meet will be held at the Marshalltown YMCA-YWCA this coming Friday and Saturday November 15th and 16th.