Messenger photo by Britt Kudla: Hailey Vogel of Fort Dodge competes on Tuesday in the Dodger pool. For more photos, please visit CU.messengernews.net

The Fort Dodge girls swim squad didn’t get a win in their season opener on Tuesday, but head coach Ashley Beaumont saw a lot of positives from her young group.

The Dodgers dropped a tight 52-50 dual to Southeast Polk and fell 58-43 to Des Moines Lincoln. The Railsplitters also edged the Rams, 52-50.

“We were going back and forth with Southeast Polk for most of the night,” Beaumont said. “It’s hard to figure out in a triangular where you are sitting in a meet (score-wise) until the end.”

Fort Dodge earned four individual victories. Senior Eileen Fierke, sophomore Hailey Vogel and sophomore Julia Eastman all earned top honors for the Dodgers.

“All of the girls did well,” Beaumont said. “Hailey had a really strong debut. She rocked it. Eileen was awesome, winning both of her events. Julia had a strong overall effort, too.”

Fierke was a double individual winner, capturing gold in the 50 freestyle (25.53) and the 100 backstroke (1:04.93). Vogel was champ in the 100 freestyle (57.03). Eastman earned first in the 100 butterfly (1:04.33).

“Makenna (Kammerer) is always amazing. She has better times right now than she had in the middle of last season,” Beaumont said. “Julia dropped two seconds of her 100 butterfly time.

“Gracie Harvey is a freshman who is swimming some awesome times. She is an aggressive competitor.”

The Dodgers had four runner-up showings as well. The 200 medley relay team of Vogel, Kammerer, Eastman and Fierke was second (1:57.98). The same quartet picked up a silver medal in the 400 freestyle (3:54.73).

Also finishing second was Kammerer (2:27.46 in the 200 IM) and Vogel (1:10.93 in the 100 breaststroke.

Eastman was third in the 200 freestyle (2:10.40), while the foursome of Rebecca Kenville, Raegan Wooldridge, Addison Daniel and Harvey were third in the 200 freestyle (1:55.27).

“We were all pretty even overall,” Beaumont said. “It showed us where we are strong, but also, that we can improve on some things.

“We have four seniors, but are still a young group overall with a lot of improving still to come.”

The Dodgers are back in action on Tuesday when they host Des Moines Roosevelt.