Messenger photo by Britt Kudla Mitchell Emery of Fort Dodge celebrates after breaking a school record in the 50 yard freestyle at the district meet last year.

Mitchell Emery has his sights set on contending for a state championship in the pool this season.

The Fort Dodge swimming standout isn’t shying away from the pressure or the expectations. In fact, no one believes in the Dodger senior captain more than Emery himself.

”I’ve been thinking about (winning a title) all year long,” said Emery, who holds the school record in the 50-yard freestyle while also lurking right behind Rob Leigh’s FDSH 100 butterfly mark. ”It’s the ultimate goal, and I definitely think it’s a reasonable one.

”You work hard and challenge yourself to take that next step. (An individual championship) is possible if you continue to stay disciplined and strive to be the best.”

Emery has emerged as more of a state frontrunner than just a contender in the 100 butterfly. His time of 51.94 against fourth-ranked Johnston earlier this month is the second-fastest in Iowa so far this season, behind only Waukee’s Jackson Kuhlers (51.71).

Leigh holds the school record in the 100 fly at 51.69, and his 51.82 as a senior two years ago earned him a bronze medal at state.

”Rob set the bar high,” said Emery, already a three-time state qualifier who was ninth in the 100 butterfly and 13th in the 50 freestyle last winter. ”He’s been a true role model to me; someone I’ve always looked up to. Breaking his record would be a big hurdle to clear, both personally and because it would get me that much closer (to the top).”

Emery moved to Fort Dodge from Storm Lake before his freshman year. He said competing in the Central Iowa Metro League has ”forced me to give nothing short of 110 percent in practice and the offseason.”

”Going up against teams like Valley, Waukee and Ames can be intimidating at first, but it’s also eye-opening,” said Emery, who also teamed with Cole Davis, Landon Getting and Cole Pearson to set an FDSH 400 freestyle relay record of 3:19.40 a year ago. ”If you want to be (among the elite), you realize these are the programs you have to measure up against.”

The Dodgers are currently 10th in the state’s power rankings. Six of the nine schools ahead of them — Waukee (1st), West Des Moines Dowling (3rd), Ames (4th). Johnston (5th), Ankeny (6th) and Valley (9th) — hail from the CIML.

Emery calls swimming ”probably 70 percent mental and 30 percent physical,” adding, ”you have to believe in yourself first and foremost” before the results start to come.

”There’s a mental toughness that you need after you get your (technique) down and gain confidence,” said Emery, an honor roll student who plans on majoring in engineering or industrial design at a college yet to be determined. ”Part of that comes with the experience of getting older and maturing. But it’s also trusting yourself and the work you put in.”

Emery thanked all of his FDSH and ACAC coaches for ”having such a big impact” on the recent resurgence enjoyed by both the Dodger boys and girls swimming programs.

”It’s been exciting to be a part of it all,” said Emery, who is also involved in Dodger Senate, varsity tennis and choir. ”We’ve helped to create an awesome, positive environment that’s turned Fort Dodge into a real contender.

”Being here has helped me grow so much not just through swimming, but in my life. I’m very thankful and proud to call Fort Dodge home.”

Vacation destination: Sweden.

People I would like to have dinner with: Michael Phelps, Barack Obama and Joel Greathouse.

It would surprise people that I: longboard in the summer.

My sports role model: Rob Leigh and Katie Ledecky.

My everyday role model: my dad.

I can’t go a day without: water.

Nickname: Mitch.

Most heated rivalry: Mason City.

Favorite road trip: swimming in Indianapolis.

What are you listening to right now? Christmas music.

Favorites…

Movie: Home Alone.

Book: “The Things They Carried” by Tim O’Brien.