Cedar Rapids Washington’s Seifert named athlete of the state swim meet

IOWA CITY — Matt Sinnott could finally answer the question.

Prior to the start of the postseason, the Cedar Rapids Washington boys swimming coach was asked where Andrew Seifert ranked among all the great swimmers who have come through the Warrior program.

At the time, his answer was, "ask me after the state meet."

Two state records and two state titles later, Sinnott had an answer after Saturday's meet at the UI's Campus Recreation and Wellness Center pool.

"He is the best swimmer in the history of the program," Sinnott said. "He has two state titles, two state records and holds school records in six events."

In a state meet loaded with talented swimmers, Siefert was named the athlete of the meet. In Friday's preliminaries, he set new state standards in the 100-yard freestyle (43.25) and the 100 breaststroke (52.67). His times in the finals were a bit slower, but still more than good enough to take a pair of gold medals."

"Drew earned it," Sinnott said. "He put in the work and it showed this weekend."

Seifert, who will continue his career next season at Dordt University in Sioux Center, still had not totally processed the magnitude of his accomplishments.

"I'm at a loss for words," he said. "I couldn't ask for anything better. My swims this weekend were phenomenal. By the grace of God I was able to get two state records and win both of my races. I couldn't have asked for anything more."

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Macho closes strong

In almost any other year, Linn-Mar senior Parker Macho would have been an easy choice as the meet's top athlete. He closed his career by defending his state titles in the 200 individual medley (1:47.61) and the 100 butterfly (46.58). His butterfly time was a new state record.

Macho, who will swim collegiately at Cincinnati, was also a part of the Lions' winning 400 freestyle relay team. The Lions had their best-ever state finish, taking second, just four points behind Iowa City West.

"Of all the swimmers I have coached in my short career, he's the best," said first-year Lions Coach George Durin. "He's so calm and cool all the time. He's never too high or never too low. It's been an honor to coach him. He is one of the greats."

For Macho, his four years at Linn-Mar have been about more than the races. The relationships he has forged with teammates and opponents, such as Seifert and his former Linn-Mar teammate Hudson Huberg who helped West to the state title, are ones he will cherish.

"I've had a great career," he said. "All the friends I've made along the way. Even having (other swimmers) on other teams. They are my best friends. It was just great to end with them. This was such a close meet and a fun way to close my career."

MVC power on display

There was little doubt after Saturday that the power in boys swimming has moved east.

The Mississippi Valley Conference claimed five of the top eight spots at the state meet. While West and Linn-Mar battled it out for the title, three other MVC teams had strong performances. Cedar Falls, 2024 state champion Dubuque Hempstead and Washington, finished sixth, seventh and eighth respectively.

"I can't say enough about our (MVC) competition," said West Coach Byron Butler. "You go into our conference meet and it is the fastest meet of the year, even more than district meets. "I think that is a really good thing. The competition in our conference elevates everything and I think we saw that today.

"We're lucky to be in the MVC with great coaches and great athletes."

Sinnott said it has been gradual, but the strength of boys swimming has definitely shifted.

"We are starting to see the shift from the central part of the state to the eastern part of the state," he said. "It is something we have started to see in the last couple of years and that means the MVC will get nothing but tougher in the future."