A look at some of the top Gazette-area teams and swimmers in the 2023-24 Iowa high school boys’ swimming season.
Iowa City High — Coach Mandi Kowal’s Little Hawks finished 10th at state last season and will be led by one of the best returning all-around swimmers in the state in senior Joe Polyak. He is the defending state champion in the 200-yard individual medley and backed that up with a runner-up finish in the 100 breaststroke. Others expected to contribute include seniors Charlie Pfohl and James Kardos along with sophomores Philip Berry-Stoelzle and Braydon Calonder.
Iowa City West — Zachary Armstrong is the new coach for the Trojan and his first team has three top-eight state placewinners, headed up by junior Holden Carter who was second at the state meet in 100 butterfly and fourth in the 100 backstroke. Senior Max Gerke had a pair of eighth-place finishes in the 200 and 500 freestyle while freshman Winston Fan was eighth in the 100 breaststroke.
Linn-Mar — The Lions had a strong state finish last year, taking sixth in the team race. They have a new coach this year as Ian Hoover-Grinde takes over from Tom Belin. His first team has some firepower. Sophomore Hudson Huberg established himself as one the state's best sprinters, placing third in both the 50 and 100 freestyles. Another sophomore, Parker Macho, was fifth in the 100 butterfly. Seniors Luke Kelley and Mason Turner, who both placed in the top eight in the 500 freestyle at state in 2022, are back after competing for their club teams exclusively last season. Also back is another talented senior in Connor Schaffel. “We certainly have a very talented and dedicated group,” said Hoover-Grinde. “The dedication and commitment by some of these guys is unmatched, and the work ethic of the entire team is incredible.”
Holden Carter, Iowa City West, jr. — Finished second at state in the 100 butterfly (48.66) and fourth at state in the 100 backstroke (49.92)
Nathaniel Crow, Williamsburg, sr. — Won the 200 freestyle para state championship (4:12.51) and was the 50 freestyle para runner-up (51.84)
Winston Fan, Iowa City West, soph. — Finished eighth in the 100 breaststroke (59.22)
Max Gerke, Iowa City West, sr. — Finished eighth at state in the 200 freestyle (1:45.41) and eighth in the 500 freestyle (4:53.84)
Hudson Huberg, Linn-Mar, soph. — Finished third at state in the 50 freestyle (20.79) and third in the 100 freestyle (46.19)
Luke Kelley, Linn-Mar, sr. — Finished eighth in the 2022 state meet in the 500 freestyle (4:49.55)
Parker Macho, Linn-Mar, soph. — Finished fifth at state in the 100 butterfly (50.68)
Joe Polyak, Iowa City High, sr. — Won the state 200 IM title (1:48.94)and finished second in the 100 breaststroke (55.44)
Marcus Seifert, Cedar Rapids Washington, sr. — Finished eighth in the 50 free at state (21.63)
Mason Turner, Linn-Mar, sr. — Finished fourth in the 2022 state meet in the 500 freestyle (4:37.21)
