Linn-Mar and Kennedy are primed to make runs for top five finishes when the girls state swimming and diving meet is held Friday and Saturday at the Marshalltown YMCA.

Diving is Friday night at 5, swimming Saturday at 12 p.m. The meet will be streamed live on the internet (click here) and is being made available by the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union. There is no sound on the broadcast.

Ames is the heavy favorite to repeat as state champions. The Little Cyclones had a slight lead over West Des Moines Valley in the latest power rankings, but according to their performances at least week's district meet, they project as a 72-point victor over Valley. Cedar Falls and Dowling also are in the mix for second place.

Linn-Mar, Pleasant Valley and Kennedy appear to be in a battle for fifth place.

Linn-Mar qualified five swimmers over four events, plus all three relays. The Lions also advanced all three of their divers, with Sam Wagner earning the No. 7 seed. They are top seeded in the 200 free relay, seeded third in the 200 medley relay, and senior Emilie Berg is seeded second in the 100 breaststroke. They have two swimmers - Lizzie Adams and Alex Dunn - seeded among the top 11 in the 50 free.

Kennedy also qualified five swimmers over four events and all three of its relays. The Cougars' strength lies in the relays. They are seeded No. 4 in the 200 free relay, No. 5 in the medley relay and No. 8 in the 400 free relay. Lexi Scharmer is seeded fifth in the 100 butterfly and 10th in the 100 backstroke. Jessica Schmeiser is seventh seeded in the 200 free.

Kennedy finished 16th and Linn-Mar 17th at last year's state meet. The last Metro team to crack the top five at the state meet was Kennedy in 2007. The Cougars finished fourth that year.

The last Metro team to win a state championship was Washington in 1984. The Warriors won three state titles in the 1970s. Kennedy has won two state titles, the last in 1981. No other Metro team has won a girls state swimming championship.

Washington and Jefferson qualified small contingents and are no threat for the top 10. The Warriors and J-Hawks both have swimmers with shots for medals. Washington sophomore Jackie Hughes is seeded fourth in the 500 free and Jefferson senior Kailey Drake is seeded sixth in the 50 free.

The last Metro swimmer to win a state title was Kennedy's Catie Baker, who won the 200 individual medley in 2005. Linn-Mar's Hayley Fry won the IM and 100 breaststroke in 2004, and the 50 free and 100 breaststroke in 2003. Jefferson's last state titlist was Whitney Wodstrchil, who won the 100 backstroke in 2003.

STATE SWIMMING AND DIVING MEET

Metro qualifiers

Linn-Mar
200 medley relay (Nicole Larsen, Lauren Dalecky, Emilie Berg, Lizzie Adams)
200 free relay (Emilie Berg, Lizzie Adams, Lauren Dalecky, Alex Dunn)
400 free relay (Lizzie Adams, Jessica Arebaugh, Alexa Klimes, Alex Dunn)
Lizzie Adams - 50 free
Alex Dunn - 50 free, 100 free
Emilie Berg - 50 free, 100 breast
Nicole Larsen - 100 back
Lauren Dalecky - 100 breast
Sam Wagner - Diving
Adelia Clark - Diving
Alyssa Deuso - Diving

Kennedy
200 medley relay (Sam Jacobsen, Amanda Jacobsen, Lexi Scharmer, Hannah Botkin)
200 free relay (Hannah Botkin, Jordan Muir, Amanda Jacobsen, Jessica Schmeiser)
400 free relay (Jordan Muir, Sam Jacobsen, Lexi Scharmer, Jessica Schmeiser)
Jessica Schmeiser - 200 free. 100 free
Lexi Scharmer - 100 butterfly, 100 back
Jordan Muir - 100 butterfly
Sam Jacobsen - 100 back
Henna McCoy - 100 back

Jefferson
200 medley relay (Erin Kibby, Emily Ritchie, Kylie Steimer, Kailey Drake)
Kailey Drake - 50 free, 100 free

Washington
200 free relay (Gloria Campbell, Taylor Vogel, Jackie Allen, Maddie Dietz)
Jackie Hughes - 500 free, 100 breast
Maddie Dietz - 100 back