Five of the state’s top 10 teams populate loaded field at Mississippi Valley Conference Championship

The Mississippi Valley Conference boys swimming meet is always an anticipated event.

This year, the anticipation is a bit higher.

Five of the state's top 10 teams in the power rankings will be in the field Saturday, set for noon at the new Cedar Falls Community Natatorium.

Top-ranked Iowa City West, No. 3 Cedar Falls and No. 4 Linn-Mar are expected to battle it out for the team title. No. 9 Dubuque Hempstead and No. 10 Cedar Rapids Washington also could contend.

"The last time that we have had this many teams ranked this high was in 2015 when we had four MVC schools (West, Washington, Dubuque Senior and Hempstead) finish in the top six at the state meet that year," Washington head coach Matt Sinnott said. "If you want to get a mini preview of the state meet, this is the meet you want to be a part of."

A number of talented individuals will be competing. Linn-Mar senior Parker Macho is the reigning state champion in both the 200-yard individual medley and the 100 butterfly. Washington senior Andrew Seifert finished second behind Macho at state in the 200 IM and was also runner-up in the 100 breaststroke.

Both swimmers are at the top of the power rankings in those events again this season. Three West swimmers — seniors Hudson Huberg and Winston Fan along with junior Ethan Landon — are among the top five in event rankings as are Linn-Mar junior Rylee Sieren and Cedar Falls senior Sam Weaver.

"The MVC meet is an opportunity to compete against the best," West head coach Byron Butler said. "We feel really blessed to face so much depth, tradition, speed, and great coaching on a weekly basis. I expect to see that, like we do each year at (Saturday's meet)."

Where the district meets in two weeks will be about getting as many swimmers to state as possible, Saturday's conference meet is one where every team member's contribution can make a difference.

"I approach this meet like any other meet throughout the season, putting our swimmers where they can be successful and help the team succeed," Sinnott said. "While we have many top flight swimmers in the MVC, this is still a team sport. You are going to need all of your swimmers to help win a conference championship."

Depth has been a key component for West this season. The Trojans have the ability to rack up multiple points in multiple events, which is always key in a conference meet that could be decided by a few points.

Butler said his team will not alter its approach much for Saturday.

"Our message is always relatively simple," he said. "We want to see our swimmers’ best effort on any given day, and to race as opposed to focusing on time."

In the eyes of first-year Linn-Mar Coach George Durin, Saturday's meet likely helps coaches make some decisions about where to place swimmers in the district meets.

"This meet is about evaluation. Districts will be about execution," he said. "I expect to see some fast swimming (on Saturday). I’m a firm believer in building confidence heading into championship season, and that’s exactly what we plan to do."

Sinnott believes all the elements for a great meet are in place.

"There will be great races to watch," he said. "We are at the new facility at Cedar Falls High School, so we are going to see fast races. This meet will be a great experience for all of the swimmers who are preparing themselves for the end of the season at districts and state."