Trojan Bolts place third at state meet
The West/Liberty swim team finished third overall at the girls state swimming and diving meet in Marshalltown Nov. 12-Nov. 13.
Scarlet Martin ’22 swims the 100 yard butterfly during the IGHSAU State Swimming and Diving Championships in Marshalltown on Nov. 13.
When one has to step down, others have to step up.
The Trojan Bolts did just that at the girls state swimming and diving meet when one of their key swimmers had to miss the state meet due to illness. Although having a missing swimmer from the roster was nothing close to ideal, it only motivated the team to swim the best they could for her.
“I think it made us all more driven to swim for her and get a trophy for her,” said Olivia Taeger ’22. “I feel like we all just bonded and it was really just an emotional rollercoaster, but we came out with a trophy and that was our goal so I am very happy we were able to do that.”
In the diving competition Sam Klein ’22, who will dive collegiately at the University of Nebraska-Omaha next year, scored 462 points to place third. Fellow teammate Aimee Varga ’24 placed 18th.
The medley relay team of Carlee Wilkins ’24, Makala Hajek ’23, Karen Liu ’24 and Lauren Trent ’22 placed 12th overall with a time of 1:51.62. Kolby Reese ’24 placed first and Trent placed fourth in the consolation final of the 200 freestyle while Jade Roghair ’23 finished third overall with a time of 1:52.58. In the 200 IM, Hajek touched the wall at 2:11.69, and Taeger finished in 2:11.81 in the consolation final. The Trojan Bolts were in sixth place through five events.
Scarlet Martin ’22 dominated the pool in the 100 butterfly as she crowned herself as state champion (53.44). This year was the University of Iowa signee’s third consecutive year of winning the event.
Reese and Trent swam in the 500 freestyle, placing 10th and 12th respectively. Roghair finished in sixth place with a time of 5:02.88. The team of Taeger, Trent, Roghair and Martin swam a 1:36.83 to finish third in the 200 freestyle relay.
In the 100 backstroke, Wilkins placed 12th with a time of 59.70. Martin was back on the podium after placing second in the 100 backstroke in 54.92. To conclude the meet, the 400 freestyle relay team of Martin, Hajek, Taeger and Roghair froze the clock at 3:28.28 to finish in second place closely behind Waukee’s time of 3:28.09. The Trojan Bolts swim team scored 216 points to add another state meet trophy in the showcase.
Seven-time state champion and future Hawkeye, Martin was pleased with her last time wearing the “W” on her cap.
“It was super sad being my last meet but I am super happy with the outcomes and how our team placed,” Martin said. “My individual swims went well so I am super happy with everything and I think we got our job done.”
Looking back at the state meet and her high school career, Taeger is proud of what the Trojan Bolts accomplished throughout the years.
“I love this team so much and I honestly think we are a family,” Taeger said. “We’ve gone through a lot this season and the past four years together and I will remember this team forever.”
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(she/her) Hanah Kitamoto is a senior at West. This is her third year on staff and she is the Print Co-Editor-in-Chief with Kailey Gee. She enjoys meeting...
