EMMETSBURG - As the Iowa Central swim team continues to prepare for nationals, Joe Plane is pleased with what they are able to do on a daily and weekly basis in the pool.

Over the weekend, the Tritons competed against Iowa Lakes, Ancilla Domini, South Georgia State and Southwestern Oregon in both men's and women's action. 

The Iowa Central men posted a dual record of 3-1, coming up just short of a sweep with a five-point setback to Southwestern Oregon. The Triton women were 3-1 as well with both teams earning five event victories.

Brady Ferguson, Gerard Ijspeert, Johnathon Turner and Magali Mouton were individual winners along with Ijspeert, Ferguson, Spencer Ehrenhard and Kyle McKenzie claiming the 200 freestyle relay.

"We swam off events to give the kids a break from doing the same events every meet," Plane said. "We came up short against Southwestern Oregon on both sides. Despite the scores, I was extremely proud of the way our team swam.

"We had many best times and season-best times. We have four more weeks of hard work before we prepare for nationals, so I'd say we're in a pretty good place."

Ferguson captured the 200 freestyle in 1:48.67, which was four seconds off his seed time coming in. Ijspeert won the 100 butterfly (55.14) and Turner the 100 breaststroke (1:00.57). The free relay went 1:31.66.

Placing second were Drew Giles (1000 free), Turner (50 free), McKenzie (200 I.M., 100 free), Dalton Hammel (100 butterfly), Andrew Iverson (500 free) and Dylan Jones (100 breaststroke). Javier Santiago, Jones, Hammel and Turner were runners-up in the 200 medley relay.

Ehrenhard (100 butterfly) and Ramiro Liceaga (100 breaststroke) placed third as the Tritons swept both events. Santiago (100 back) and the 200 free relay of Iverson, Tony Coudron, Logan Childers and Nathan Parkins were also third.

On the women's side, Mouton claimed first in the 100 breaststroke with a time of 1:09.32. She also was part of the 200 medley relay that finished with silver alongside Lexi Mast, Shannon Murphy and Saige Knight.

The 200 free relay of Penny Lawrence, Emily Small, Lily Wright and Haley Snawerdt were also second along with Snawerdt (1000 free), Mouton (200 I.M.), Murphy (100 butterfly) and Wright (100 back).

Placing third for the Tritons were Small (50 free), Wright (200 I.M.) and Knight (100 butterfly).

Iowa Central returns to action on March 26-27 when they compete in the Coyote Invitational hosted by the University of South Dakota.

-By Dana Becker