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Ankeny swimmers advance to state meet finals in 5 of 8 individual events

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Ankeny’s Anja Peck swims the butterfly leg of the 200 individual medley during the preliminaries of the girls’ state swim meet on Friday at the Marshalltown YMCA. Peck posted a time of 2:06.88 and qualified for Saturday’s “A” final in the event. (Photo by Dan Holm)

The Ankeny girls’ swimming team advanced to Saturday’s finals at the state meet in five of the eight individual events.

Seniors Anja Peck and Josie Parton both qualified in two events during Friday’s preliminaries at the Marshalltown YMCA. Junior Sophie Loeffler was the Hawkettes’ other individual qualifier.

Peck qualified for the “A” final in the 200 individual medley. She posted the fourth-fastest qualifying time of 2:06.88, dropping nearly 5 seconds off her seed time.

Peck just missed qualifying for the “A” final in the 100 breaststroke, posting the ninth-fastest time of 1:05.55. She will compete in the “B” final.

“I was super happy with my times today, especially the 200IM!” Peck said. “I would have liked to get into the ‘A’ final in both, but I’m happy with how I performed and am excited for Saturday!”

Ankeny’s Josie Parton competes in the preliminaries of the 100 backstroke on Friday. She qualified for Saturday’s “B” final with a time of 1:00.33. (Photo by Dan Holm)

Parton posted the eighth-fastest qualifying time in the 100 freestyle, allowing her to sneak into the “A” final. She was clocked in 53.80 seconds.

Parton later qualified for the “B” final in the 100 backstroke. She posted the 15th-fastest time of 1:00.33.

Loeffler qualified for the “B” final in the 100 butterfly. Seeded 10th in the event, she dropped .18 seconds off her seed time and was clocked in 59.01, missing the “A” final by .60.

“I was really happy,” Loeffler said. “I wish I could have gotten into the ‘A’ final, but it’s all really fast and I’m just proud of what I did. I’m going to try and beat some people (in the fast heat) even if my place won’t move up–just for personal (satisfaction).”

Ankeny’s Sophie Loeffler swims to a 21st-place finish in the 200 freestyle on Friday. She posted a time of 1:59.20. (Photo by Dan Holm)

Loeffler also placed 21st overall in the 200 freestyle. She posted a time of 1:59.20, dropping more than a second off her seed time, but did not qualify for the finals.

Loeffler said she’s looking forward to Saturday’s relay events. She will swim on Ankeny’s 200 and 400 freestyle relays, which are seeded ninth and sixth, respectively.

The Hawkettes are seeded third in the 200 medley relay.

“I really hope our free relays can do well, and I’m excited to watch our medley,” Loeffler said.

Here are Ankeny’s other results from the preliminaries:

Ankeny’s Alexis Hergenreter competes in the 200 freestyle during Friday’s preliminaries. She placed 25th in the event with a time of 2:00.38. (Photo by Dan Holm)

200 freestyle: Alexis Hergenreter, 2:00.38 (25th).

50 freestyle: Gracie Lindaman, 25.65 (32nd).

100 butterfly: Leah Schafer, 1:02.42 (29th).

100 freestyle: Paige Spoelstra, 56.61 (32nd).

500 freestyle: Hergenreter, 5:26.73 (25th).

100 backstroke: Lauren Reimer, 1:01.87 (tied for 26th).

Ankeny’s Lauren Reimer competes in the 100 backstroke during Friday’s preliminaries. She tied for 26th place with a time of 1:01.87. (Photo by Dan Holm)