GRINNELL — The Perry Area Winter Swim team left a large wake in the pool at Grinnell College March 9 at the Greater Iowa Swim League state meet.
The GISL in comprised of teams from Brooklyn, Carroll, Clarinda, Denison, Emmetsburg, Estherville, Grinnell, Harlan, Knoxville, Manning, Newton, Ottumwa, Pella, Spencer and Perry. Individuals and relay teams were required to post state-meet qualifying time throughout the regular season.
Five-time state champions Quin Mahler-Moreno and Sophia McDevitt tied for the Individual High Point Award in the 11-12 girls division. Each won three individual event state titles and were both parts of two winning relay teams.
Mahler-Moreno won state titles in both the 50 and 100 breaststroke and 200 freestyle, with McDevitt placing first in the 100 backstroke, 100 freestyle and 100 individual medley.
The star turn continued for the speedy duo when they were joined by Zoe Hibbert and Lily Riley to win both the 200 freestyle relay and the 200 medley relay.
Other state championship efforts were produced by Sarah Vaughn, who won the girls open 500 freestyle and from Joel Story, who touched first overall in the boys 11-12 50 freestyle.
In addition to the seven state titles claimed by PAWS, there were nine runner-up placings.
Garrett Winey (11-12 50 butterfly), Joel Storey (13-14 100 individual medley), Isaac Noble (50 free) and Drew Storey (15-18 100 free) all placed second in boys races, as did Eli Noble (15-18 100 medley relay).
Andrew Dowd, Eli Noble, Drew Storey and Ethan Winey were the boys 15-18 runner-up in both the 200 medley and 200 freestyle relays, with Jaylene Karolus placing second in the girls 13-14 100 backstroke and 100 individual medley.
Maddie McDevitt finished third in the 9-10 girls 100 individual medley as well as the 100 backstroke, with Isaac Noble third in the 13-14 boys 50 freestyle. Drew Storey was third in both the boys open 100 backstroke and 100 freestyle, with Ethan Winey third in the boys open 50 freestyle while Reese Archer was third in the boys open 50 backstroke.
There was a large number of others who earned top-six finishes. PAWS members posted an impressive 32 personal-best times at the state meet.
Some of the swimmers have qualified for, and will compete at, the Midwest Regional Swim Meet March 23-24 at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis.
PAWS is coached by Hillary Mahler, with Avery Miner and Abby Hermann assisting.
Interested parties should note that registration for the Perry Summer Swim Team will be held April 27 at the McCreary Community Building from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. The PSST welcomes boys and girls ages 5-18, with practices beginning the last week of May.
