Sports : Huge Day for the Stormin’ Vikings

Vinton Shellsburg's Stormin' Vikings Swim Team (Photos courtesy of Kelly Allsup)

Medley Relay Wesley Farrell, Ian Vrba, Ian Allsup, James DeSmet

All 5 State Qualifiers

200 Free Relay Ian Allsup, James DeSmet, Brayden Beck, Ian Vrba

Saturday in Dubuque was a day of firsts for the Stormin' Vikings as they achieved a number of program "firsts" as they qualified in two individual events and two relays. Competing in a single-class sport against large schools that partner with other large schools, it can be a daunting task to finish in the top 32 individuals or the top 24 relays. But the team rose to the occasion turning in by far their best performance of the season.

The 200 Medley Relay of Wesley Farrell, Ian Vrba, Ian Allsup and James DeSmet began the day by turning in a time of 1:42.42, the third-fastest time in team history. Being in a very challenging district, that was only good enough for 6th place behind Iowa City West, both Dubuque schools, Decorah and Cedar Falls. Fortunately, that time would have been good enough for 3rd or 4th in the other districts and the team secured 21st place in the state and a ticket to Iowa City Saturday for that relay for the third straight year, another program first.

Ian Allsup qualified for state in two individual events, the 100 Free (4th place - 47.78) and the 100 Back (3rd place - 56.18). Allsups 100 time broke the school record previously held by Cyrus Elwick. He also became the first person in team history to qualify in four events during the same season.

Shortly after the 100, Ian helped lead another team to state, leading off the 200 Free Relay in a time of 22.24 which tied the school record held by Dick Higgins. The team of Allsup, James DeSmet, Brayden Beck and Ian Vrba finished 5th in a school record time of 1:32.69 but had to sweat it out for a few hours waiting to see if they had done enough. After the meet the team and a group of parents, family and friends gathered at a restaurant to await the results. When the tentative state list was released an entire corner of the restaurant erupted in cheers as the team had qualified in the 24th and final spot, edging out Southeast Polk by 0.18 seconds.

On the day the entire team swam very well registering 30 new personal best times out of 33 total swims. Other notable personal performances included Seniors Steven Wichtendahl dropping 14 seconds in his 200 Free and Gabe Marzen - in his first year of swimming, turning in a 58.58 in the 100 Free to go under the minute mark for the first time. Jacob Dreier and Thomas Jessen each dropped about 30 seconds in the 500 Free. Junior Wes Farrell turned in a tremendous effort with a personal best 57.15 in the 100 Back, but unfortunately finished in 33rd place in the state a mere 0.05 second behind the final state qualifier. And freshman Andrew Allsup finally recovered from a severe ankle sprain and managed to win two heats, finishing first in his 200IM heat and his 500 heat. His two heat wins earned him a pair of highly coveted district cakes as well as scoring 3 team points.

The state qualifiers and alternates will head to Iowa City Friday night and Saturday to compete against the best from across the state of Iowa.

State Qualifiers:

200 Medley Relay - Wesley Farrell, Ian Vrba, Ian Allsup, James DeSmet

100 Freestyle - Ian Allsup

200 Free Relay - Ian Allsup, James DeSmet, Brayden Beck and Ian Vrba

100 Backstroke - Ian Allsup

Alternates - Broden Farrell, Hunter Kempton and Aleric Weber

Manager - Carleigh Wilson