-Messenger photo by Britt Kudla Fort Dodge girls swimming returning letterwinners are left to right, Front Row: Emily Dawson Rebecca Kenville, Addison Daniel, Makenna Kammerer, Delaney O'Connor Back Row: Lilian Shin, Julia Eastman, Raegan Wooldridge, Eileen Fierke, Rachel Moody, Maddie Pulis

The Fort Dodge girls swim program continues to trend in the right direction under head coach Ashley Beaumont.

All of the Dodgers’ state qualifiers from a season ago return, 11 letterwinners are back in all, and Beaumont has nearly 30 athletes on her roster as FDSH works toward making sure its quality and quantity are on equal ground as a program.

“We’re off to a strong start,” Beaumont said. “We have a solid core of upper-level swimmers, which brings versatility to our relays and lineup (options). The goal is to make sure every girl continues to improve and becomes more proficient in as many events as possible.”

Four-year varsity standout Eileen Fierke is the Dodgers’ headliner. Fierke had a pair of state podium finishes as a sophomore, then struggled through an injury last season before still qualifying individually for Marshalltown.

“Eileen really wants to (secure) her legacy with this program,” Beaumont said. “She has high goals for herself, and has pushed to prepare for her senior year.

“She knows what her (older siblings, all-staters Elora and Andrew) have accomplished here (as Dodgers), and is ready to leave her own mark now.”

Fierke has been ubiquitous with her talents to date, reaching state in the 100, 200 and 500 freestyle, the 100 breaststroke, the 200 individual medley, the 200 medley relay (twice), 400 freestyle relay (twice), and 200 freestyle relay (three times).

Fierke will be flanked by fellow state veterans Reagan Wooldridge (Manson Northwest Webster), Julia Eastman (Southeast Valley), Makenna Kammerer, Rebecca Kenville (Webster City) and Addison Daniel. Kammerer is a senior; Wooldridge and Kenville are juniors; Daniel is a sophomore.

Fierke, Kammerer, Lilian Shin (St. Edmond) and Emily Dawson (Eagle Grove) are senior captains.

“They’ve really stepped up and made their presence known in a lot of different ways,” Beaumont said of her seniors. “They all have different personalities and strengths, but the (common denominator) is their passion for the sport and this program.

“Makenna is one of the nicest and hardest working kids around. I’d take a whole team of (athletes) like her. Lilian is quieter, but she really sets a terrific example and is a three-time varsity letterwinner. Emily is one of my last Eagle Grove girls. I’m excited to see her find her stride.”

Eastman and Wooldridge were other individual standouts from a year ago who return and “are looking great” in the preseason, according to Beaumont.

The addition of sophomore Hailey Vogel adds another dimension to the lineup.

“Hailey’s had a lot of success at the USA swimming (level) and will be an immediate state possibility,” Beaumont said. “She’s incredibly talented and will give us another strong individual and relay option.”

Sophomore Delaney O’Connor (St. Edmond) will be diving for FDSH this fall. Sophomore Maddie Pulis (Webster City) and Rachel Moody (Manson Northwest Webster) are also returning letterwinners.

Beaumont is assisted by Ethan Martin.

“Having Coach Martin around really helps with our development, organization and communication,” Beaumont said. “We’re still putting the pieces of the puzzle together, but overall, I’m very excited about what this group could accomplish through continued hard work.”

The Dodgers open their season on Tuesday at home against Southeast Polk and Des Moines Lincoln.

2022 FORT DODGE GIRLS SWIMMING

Roster

Seniors – Emily Dawson, Eileen Fierke, Makenna Kammerer, Becca Kenville, Lillian Shin, Hope Miller (manager).

Juniors – Becca Kenville, Rachel Moody, Maddie Pulis, GwendaLynn Winkler, Raegan Wooldridge.

Sophomores – Rylee Brundage, Ella Champagne, Addison Daniel, Julia Eastman, Delaney O’Connor, Ellie Schiek, Madison Sullivan, Claire Thompson, Hannah Tolle, Annabell Wolff.

Freshmen – Janelle Chada, Catalina Elizondo, Jaylie Gates, Gracie Harvey, Rebekah Nelson, Carissa Raymond, Maddie Sankey.

Schedule

Aug. 30 – Southeast Polk and Des Moines Lincoln.

Sept. 6 – Des Moines Roosevelt; 8 – Algona and Sioux City Metro; 10 – at Marion Linn-Mar Invitational; 17 – FDSH Winker Invitational; 20 – at Mason City; 22 – at Perry; 27 – Ames.

Oct. 4 – at Marshalltown; 6 – at Carroll; 20 – Iowa Alliance Conference meet at Marshalltown.