At the Ankeny Sprint Invitational held on March 5, 2024, Finn Martin of the Newton boys swim team excelled, winning two individual freestyle events. The Cardinals finished seventh in a competitive field of eight teams, accumulating a total of 124 points. This performance surpassed Johnston’s 92 points, placing them in eighth position.
Waukee Northwest claimed the meet championship with an impressive 447 points. Other notable teams included Waukee with 363.5 points, West Des Moines Valley at 340 points, Dowling Catholic with 296 points, Ankeny at 293.5 points, and Boone with 208 points.
Martin’s individual achievements were remarkable. He won the 50-yard freestyle event with a time of 20.99 seconds, establishing himself as a prominent competitor. In the 100-yard freestyle, he recorded a winning time of 46.68 seconds. The runner-up in the 50 freestyle finished at 22.08 seconds, while the competition in the 100 freestyle was fierce, with Eli DeJong of West Des Moines Valley taking second place with a time of 47.25 seconds.
The Newton team’s relay performances also showcased their talent. The Cardinals placed sixth in both the 200 freestyle relay and the 200 medley relay. In the medley relay, Martin, alongside teammates Ethan Comer, Hudson Meyer, and Caleb Punt, finished with a time of 1:42.22. They were just shy of catching the host team Ankeny, which clocked in at 1:41.39, while Waukee took the relay victory in 1:36.89.
In the 200 freestyle relay, the same quartet achieved a time of 1:33.44, finishing only 0.43 seconds behind Dowling, which recorded 1:33.01. Boone dominated this race, winning with a time of 1:29.09.
The Ankeny Sprint Invitational marks an important start to the season for the Newton boys swim team. With standout performances from Martin and solid relay efforts, they are poised for a competitive season ahead.
