Iowa City West wins Iowa highschool state swimming title

IOWA CITY — The Iowa City West boys swimming group received its first state title since 2020 and fourth at school historical past on the Iowa highschool state swimming meet on Saturday, Feb. 14.

West secured the crown with 224 factors on the finish of the two-day occasion, edging out Linn-Mar who completed with 220 factors on the University of Iowa’s Campus Recreation and Wellness Center.

The Trojans claimed their first state title in six years after they positioned second on the 2025 state meet.

“Since day one, we’ve been goal-oriented; we wanted this thing more than anything and it just means so much,” mentioned West senior Winston Fan. “We’ve been putting in the work since every morning and every night at practice and it paid off. We just had to hit this taper and we came in ranked third and we ended up being first … so we won the meet and it means the world.”

West opened Saturday’s finals by profitable the 200-yard medley relay (1:31.14), which set the tone for its state title run. They proceeded to clinch the 200-yard freestyle relay (1:24.23).

The Trojans had no particular person state champions, however they nonetheless obtained elite manufacturing throughout the board.

Notably, Fan positioned second within the 100-yard butterfly (49.25) and third within the 100-yard breaststroke (55.28). Junior Ethan Landon positioned second within the 100-yard backstroke (49.58) and fifth within the 100-yard butterfly (50.31).

“They were so locked in on winning this title and doing everything they could for the team,” mentioned West coach Byron Butler. “I can’t say enough about them and the seniors in this group. They’re just phenomenal people and they’re really, really great athletes. I’m just lucky to be here.”

Iowa City West earned additionally earned teaching workers of the 12 months honors.

Sioux City earned the para state championship, whereas Cedar Rapids Washington senior Andrew Seifert was named swimmer of the 12 months.

Jaiden Lovelace of Sioux City West set a brand new state greatest within the 200-yard freestyle para (2:55.23) whereas Austen Lovelace set a brand new main time within the 100-yard freestyle para (1:13.62).

Southeast Polk’s Kale Lincoln grew to become the brand new state record-holder within the 100-yard breaststroke para (1:27.26).

Finn Martin grew to become a three-time state champion within the 50-yard freestyle. He clinched the three-peat with a brand new state file time of 20.06, breaking the earlier feat that stood for 10 years.

Linn-Mar’s Parker Macho repeated as state champion within the 100-yard butterfly and 200 particular person medley. He set a brand new state file within the 100-yard butterfly (46.58).

Dubuque Senior’s Max Heiar set a brand new state file within the 50-yard freestyle para (26.14) and the 100-yard backstroke para (1:05.72).

Final group scores:

1. Iowa City West, 224 factors

2. Linn-Mar, 220 factors

3. Waukee, 175 factors

4. Waukee Northwest, 162 factors

5. West Des Moines Valley, 158 factors

Full first-place outcomes:

• 200-yard Medley Relay: Iowa City West’s Ethan Landon, Jack Tunwall, Winston Fan, Oliver Mikulski, 1:31.14
• 200-yard Freestyle Para: Sioux City West’s Jaiden Lovelace, 2:55.23
• 200-yard Freestyle: Carroll’s Teagen Renze, 1:37.20
• 200-yard Individual Medley: Linn-Mar’s Parker Macho, 1:47.61
• 50-yard Freestyle Para: Dubuque Senior’s Max Heiar, 26.14
• 50-yard Freestyle: Newton’s Finn Martin, 20.06
• 100-yard Butterfly: Linn-Mar’s Parker Macho, 46.58
• 100-yard Freestyle Para: Sioux City West’s Austen Lovelace, 1:13.62
• 100-yard Freestyle: Cedar Rapids Washington’s Andrew Seifert, 43.60
• 500-yard Freestyle: West Des Moines Valley’s Will Van Zee, 4:22.76
• 200-yard Freestyle Relay: Iowa City West’s Oliver Mikulski, Link Ortman, Winston Fan, Hudson Huberg, 1:24.23
• 100-yard Backstroke Para: Dubuque Senior’s Max Heiar, 1:05.72
• 100-yard Backstroke: Southeast Polk’s Desmond Ortega, 48.87
• 100-yard Breaststroke Para: Southeast Polk’s Kale Lincoln, 1:27.26
• 100-yard Breaststroke: Cedar Rapids Washington’s Andrew Seifert, 53.40
• 400-yard Freestyle Relay: Linn-Mar’s Parker Macho, Rylee Sieren, Carter Byers, Clayton Treharne, 3:04.46

Marc Ray is the highschool sports activities reporter for the Iowa City Press-Citizen. He will be reached at MARay@gannett.com , and on X, previously Twitter, at @themarcszn.