Three Norwalk student-athletes qualified for state as members of the Des Moines Lincoln boys swim team on Saturday. Meanwhile, the Warrior boys basketball team was defeated by Johnston 59-48 at the Crossover Classic.

SWIMMING:

Norwalk seniors Keegan Kraft and Brayden Plourde, along with sophomore Dax Hughes, will represent Des Moines Lincoln in five events at the State Swimming and Diving Meet following Saturday’s District Meet in Waukee. The Rails placed fourth as a team with 249 points and all of the state-qualifying events recorded personal-best times.

Plourde, Hughes and Kraft teamed with Blake Bennett to qualify for state in both the 200 freestyle relay and the 400 freestyle relay, placing fourth in both events Their 400 relay time of 3:19.25 ranks 16th among state qualifiers and is also a school record. The 200 relay time of 1:30.01 is ranked 17th.

In addition, Kraft qualified for State in two individual events based on time, placing seventh in both the 200-yard individual medley and the 100 backstroke. His 200 IM time of 2:05.68 ranks 28th among state qualifiers and his 100 backstroke time of 56.03 ranks 29th. Plourde qualified for State in the 100-yard freestyle, clocking a fourth-place time of 48.62 that ranks 19th.

The State Swimming and Diving Meet will be held Friday and Saturday at the Campus Recreation and Wellness Center in Iowa City.

BASKETBALL:

The Norwalk boys basketball team took part in Saturday’s Crossover Classic at Waukee High School, losing to Johnston 59-48. The Warriors led 18-12 after one quarter, but were outscored 16-10 in the second period and 16-5 in the third. They trailed by only five points with a minute left before Johnston pulled away at the free throw line.

Tillman Papcun led Norwalk with 19 points, Jameson Demaray scored 12 and Andrew Abbott had nine. Norwalk coach Aaron Pelzer tells KNIA Sports that the Dragons are the best team the Warriors have played this season. Pelzer credited Johnston for their physical defensive play and said that Norwalk committed too many turnovers to win the game.

Johnston improved to 9-8 on the season. The Warriors are 12-5 and will return to Little Hawkeye Conference action at Newton on Tuesday night.