News Summary

Cedar Falls celebrated the opening of its new high school natatorium during the 47th Annual Marcussen Invitational swim meet. The event honored former coach Dick Marcussen, who led the swimming program for 47 years. The Cedar Falls Tigers triumphed in the competition, scoring 491 points, significantly ahead of their rivals. Notable performances included several relay victories and impressive individual times, with standout swimmer Lucy Parson breaking a meet record. The invitational marked a celebration of community, athletic achievement, and the future of Cedar Falls swimming.

Cedar Falls Welcomes a New Era at the Natatorium

Cedar Falls recently celebrated a exciting milestone with the opening of its brand-new high school natatorium. The excitement was palpable as the community gathered to witness the 47th Annual Marcussen Invitational, a swim meet that was especially significant with the presence of the legendary former coach, Dick Marcussen. After leading the Cedar Falls swimming program for an incredible 47 years and claiming nine state titles before his retirement in 2015, Marcussen’s attendance felt like a fitting tribute to the event.

Dominating the Competition

The Cedar Falls Tigers made quite a splash with their performance, racking up an impressive 491 points to claim victory in the meet. Their closest rival, Waukee, trailed behind with 312.5 points. Other teams that joined in the excitement included Waterloo West, which finished in fourth place, and Mason City, who wrapped up the competition in ninth in this highly competitive 10-team event.

The current head coach, Chelsea Szczyrbak, couldn’t hide her glee as she watched her team take to the water, expressing that it seemed like a dream to witness the girls competing in such a fantastic new facility. And they didn’t just compete; they shined, winning all three of the relay events—a crucial asset in their quest for state glory since points in these events are doubled!

Relay Rookies Shine Bright

A standout moment for the Tigers came in the 200-yard medley relay, where the team of Ella Gardner, Paige Wilson, Leah Mason, and Taytem Lehmann secured an automatic state qualifying time of 1:49.14, finishing well ahead of their closest competition by over three seconds. In another thrilling showdown, the Tigers also triumphed in the 200-yard freestyle relay, edging out Bettendorf to stop the clock at 1:41.02. But it didn’t stop there; Cedar Falls showcased their dominance with a stunning finish in the 400-yard freestyle relay as well, wrapping up the race in 3:44.46—an astonishing nearly 12 seconds ahead of second-place Decorah.

Breaking Records

Among the surprises of the day was Lucy Parson from Waterloo West, who wowed the crowd by breaking a long-standing meet record in the 100-yard breaststroke. Her time of 1:04.43 not only brought down the previous record by a notable 2.4 seconds but also proved her mettle as a force to be reckoned with as she also secured a second-place finish in the 200-yard individual medley with a qualifying time of 2:12.61. Parson was also part of teams that clinched third place in both the 200-medley relay and the 400-yard freestyle relay.

Sisterly Spirit and Impressive Finishes

The sister duo of Lydia and Corrine Rehmert also made their mark on the day, balancing participation in both the Bands Across the Prairie event and the swimming meet. Lydia earned a notable third-place finish in the highly competitive 100-yard freestyle and contributed to several winning relay teams as well.

In other impressive showings from Cedar Falls, Maelyn Woltz was a standout winner, dominating both the 200-yard and 500-yard freestyle events with automatic state-qualifying times. The Tigers also celebrated a 1-2 finish in the 50-yard freestyle, with Taytem Lehmann racing to victory at a swift 24.31 seconds. Leah Mason and Ella Gardner also made waves as they earned automatic state qualifying times in the 100-yard butterfly.

A Look at the Standings

As the invitational concluded, the team standings revealed Cedar Falls in the top spot, followed by Waukee, Bettendorf, and Waterloo West, rounding out the top four. Additional teams included Dubuque Senior, Decorah, Cedar Rapids Washington, Wahlert Catholic, Mason City, and Cedar Rapids Jefferson.

In the diving section of the meet, Cedar Falls’ Abigail Schoneman secured third place with an impressive score of 363.60 in the 1-meter diving competition, proving that the Tigers were not just skilled in swimming but also in diving!

The inaugural Marcussen Invitational was more than just a swim meet; it was a celebration of the past, present, and a bright future for Cedar Falls swimming!

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