Senior Noah Kearney has helped the ninth-ranked Ankeny boys’ swimming team to a 1-2 record in the CIML Conference. The squad is now 10-7 overall after placing second in the seven-team field in the Little Hawk Invitational on Saturday at Mercer Park Aquatic Center in Iowa City.
Kearney won two events and also swam on two winning relays as Ankeny defeated visiting Johnston, 132-38, on Thursday for its first conference victory. He took the 200 individual medley in a time of 2:05.59, then later captured the 100 backstroke in 58.06 seconds.
Here is some inside info on Kearney:
How is the season going thus far?
It has been going quite well. The boys have had some great swims, and we all find ways to get through a lot of the hard moments.
You just had a busy week with three meets in a span of five days. Was it pretty tiring to swim that many races?
Yes, this was one of the busiest weeks I have had all season, but the meets were very fun and definitely worth all the hard work.
Were you happy with how you swam on Saturday in the Little Hawk Invitational at Iowa City?
I thought I had a pretty good meet, and I was definitely happy with how I swam. But I’m not quite at my goal times for the season yet.
What did you think of your team’s performance?
The team swam some excellent times and was definitely hungry for (a first-place finish overall), and even though we didn’t get it, the team had some amazing swims and times.
Your team rolled to a win over Johnston on Thursday on your Senior Night. Was it an emotional night for you and the other nine seniors?
It was definitely one of the more emotional meets for me and the other nine seniors, but I think we had a lot of fun cheering on and celebrating all of our amazing seniors for sure.
Coach Rhoads called this group of seniors one of the best he’s ever had, even if it’s maybe not the fastest group. What makes this group so special in your eyes?
This group of seniors is very special in my eyes as well, especially since most of the seniors are some of my best friends and we have been swimming together since the very beginning. Dustin is definitely right about this group of seniors being something special. We will always support each other.
Your team dropped a 95-75 decision on Tuesday to fifth-ranked Valley, which is one of six teams from the CIML Conference in the top 10 of the power rankings. How do you think the Tigers compare to the other top teams you’ve seen?
The Tigers have had a great season so far and have put up some good fights against other teams in the CIML. Compared to the other teams in the top six, I think that they all evenly compare to each other and have an equal chance of moving up in the rankings.
Waukee Northwest leads the power rankings by more than 200 points over Waukee. Do you think any team can challenge the Wolves for the state title?
After our meet on Saturday against Iowa City West, I think they have some fantastic swimmers across almost all events. It could be a real toss-up between them and Waukee Northwest from what I saw.
Do you have any plans for the holiday break, other than the strenuous swimming workouts you’ll be doing?
I’ll definitely be catching up on some well-deserved rest, but mainly I’ll just be hanging out with my family and friends over Christmas and New Year’s Eve.
Are you planning to swim in college?
I am not currently planning on swimming on a college team next year, but I definitely will not stop swimming and will most likely join a club team as well.
Do you know what you want to study?
I am 100 percent committed to the University of Iowa to study business and psychology.
