Jul 31, 2026 | Sports
Special to the Times Vedette
On July 11, the Guthrie County Swim Team completed its season with swimmers coming together from Guthrie Center, Panora, Jamaica, Yale, Stuart, Bayard, Bagley and all of Guthrie County. The team captured a second-place finish at the Iowa Western Swim Conference Championship meet. This concluded an 8-1 regular season record. The team also placed second for the regular season in the conference.
“There were 50 swimmers that qualified for the conference meet, which is almost 50% of the roster,” Head Coach Dana Stein said. “Over 52% of our swims at the championship meet were top times, which shows how well and hard our swimmers prepared and swam.”
Stein said they had stellar seasons and performances from many swimmers in all age groups.
“I can’t tell you how proud I am of this team,” Stein said. “This group of swimmers worked together as a team. I talk about tradition and how many swimmers in the Guthrie County area have built this tradition, and they continue to carry it on and represent their team and community extremely well.”
The team broke multiple records this past year:
- Boys 8 and under Medley Relay: Cooper Strehle, Brylon Redfern, Landon Martinson, Layton Kinman
- Boys 13/14 100 Freestyle: Cordell Wolfe
- Boys 11/12 50 Fly: Graham Clark
- Boys 8 and Under 100 Freestyle Relay: Landon Martinson, Layton Kinman, Brylon Redfern, Cooper Strehle
- Girls 8 and under 25 backstroke: Fran Brelsford
- Boys 8 and Under 25 Fly: Landon Martinson
- Boys 11/12 50 Breaststroke: Isaac Armbrecht
Out of 117 swimmers on the team, only two were seniors: Collin Stringham and Elizabeth Drake.
“It is great to see the seniors having so much success in all the years they swam,” Stein said.
The coaching staff consisted of Head Coach Dana Stein, Assistant Coaches Emily Gray, Kena Baier, Mackenzie Campbell, Kiera Boals, Allison Drake and Elizabeth Drake.
Coach Stein stated that these coaches put in a lot of time and effort to help these athletes develop the skills that led to their success.
“I can’t wait for next summer,” Stein said. “If anyone has any questions about the program, please do not hesitate to reach out.”
Stein also thanked the City of Guthrie Center for working with the team and supporting them this year.
“It is a great representation of how proud this community is of the kids and this team,” Stein said.
