Messenger photo by Britt Kudla: Fort Dodge girls swimming returning letterwinners are (left to right) Nora O'Connor, Janelle Chada, Karlee Pearson, Teagan Loots, Addie Meyer and Gracie Harvey.

On paper, the Fort Dodge girls swim squad doesn’t have talent or experience they’ve enjoyed for years under the direction of Ashley Beaumont.

That doesn’t mean the Dodgers should be completely counted out in 2025, according to their head coach.

“We’re focusing on our strengths,” Beaumont said. “This is the smallest team I’ve ever coached (based on roster size), but we’ve been able to do a ton of individual work and I feel like it’s made them all closer and more dependent on each other.

“Of course we’d like to have more (athletes), but we don’t choose to look at this as a bad thing. We’re going to continue to focus on being better every day and getting the most out of each swimmer. They’re supporting each other and staying positive.”

Senior co-captain Gracie Harvey is the lone returning state qualifier from a successful group that graduated the likes of record-holders Julia Eastman and Hailey Vogel, as well as state diver Delaney O’Connor. Eastman, a former Southeast Valley student, was a podium finisher who is now competing for the University of Northern Iowa. Vogel — like Eastman, a four-year state regular — is swimming for Wisconsin-Whitewater.

“Gracie has shown great leadership and is really setting the tone,” Beaumont said. “She’s been a two-time state qualifier on relays, and now she’s setting her sights on the individual events. That’s a great goal for her.”

Classmate Janelle Chada will be the other captain.

Juniors Karlee Pearson, Teagan Loots and Nora O’Connor join sophomore Aubrey Alstott as athletes to watch moving forward, according to Beaumont. They are tasked with replacing graduated seniors Eastman, Vogel, O’Connor, Addison Daniel, Claire Thompson, Madison Sullivan and Annabell Wolff.

Sophomore Addie Meyer is also a returning letterwinner.

“Karlee is always smiling and positive,” Beaumont said. “She’s been a good training partner with Gracie. Teagan is doing tennis and swimming (this fall), which is difficult schedule-wise, but she’s been all-in with us when she’s here. (On Tuesday), she’ll play varsity singles (in tennis) then come over for the (season-opening swim meet) afterward.

“Nora has been a part of our program almost since she was born. She knows what we do and how we do it, which is great to have. Aubrey is a talented athlete who is really starting to hit her stride in the pool. She works hard and has a terrific attitude as well. She’s come a really long way.”

The Dodgers’ lineup will depend on the opponent.

“We have some kids who will maybe bounce between junior varsity or varsity,” Beaumont said. “We want to put them in the most successful position possible.”

Beaumont will be assisted by Charity Vogel this fall.

Fort Dodge opens its season at home on Tuesday in a dual against Marshalltown. The Gary Winkler FDSH Invitational is Sept. 20 in the Dodger pool.

FORT DODGE GIRLS SWIMMING

Roster

Seniors – Gracie Harvey, Janelle Chada.

Juniors – Karlee Pearson, Nora O’Connor, Teagan Loots, Breeanna Kalvig.

Sophomores – Aubrey Alstott, Addie Meyer, Morgan Townsend.

Freshmen – Iris McAtee.

Schedule

Sept. 2 – Marshalltown, 5:30 p.m.; 6 – Mason City Invitational, 10 a.m.; 9 – at Des Moines Roosevelt, 5:30 p.m.; 11 – Algona and Sioux City West, 5:30 p.m.; 16 – Ames, 5:30 p.m.; 20 – Gary Winkler FDSH Invitational, 8:30 a.m.; 25 – at Algona, 5:30 p.m.

Oct. 9 – at Carroll, 5:30 p.m.; 13 – Mason City, 5:30 p.m.; 23 – IAC meet at Mason City, 5 p.m.