Messenger photo by Britt Kudla: Fort Dodge junior Karlee Pearson has reached the girls state swim meet in the 100 breaststroke. Pearson competes on Thursday in Iowa City.

IOWA CITY — This year marks a new era for girls state swimming, as the event moves to in Iowa City.

The Fort Dodge girls aren’t in new territory, though. For the 12th straight season, the Dodgers will be represented at the meet.

The championships, which were held in Fort Dodge for years and later Marshalltown, will now be at the University of Iowa’s Recreation Center. FDSH junior Karlee Pearson will be making her debut right along with the event.

“There is a difference from pools,” said FDSH girls head coach Ashley Beaumont. “The Iowa City pool is deep the entire way, and there are depth lines on the bottom.

“Karlee will go late in the meet (on Thursday), so she will have a chance to warm up and see others swim.”

Pearson extended the school’s state streak as an athlete this fall. She was there a season ago — as a manager.

“I’ve been swimming since I was 10 years old with the summer rec league,” Pearson said. “I’m excited to be going to state.

“Last year, I went as a manager, so it’s pretty cool that I get to be the one in the water this time around.”

For months, Pearson put the time into getting ready with her teammates.

“I worked all summer long with my training partner, (Dodger senior) Gracie Harvey,” Pearson said. “I also lifted with Alec Crimmins during that (period of time in the offseason), which helped me improve a ton.

“With the help of Coach Ashley and Coach Charity (Vogel), I’ve been able to make the (in-season) progress I needed, too.”

Pearson, a junior for FDSH, finished last season with a time of 1:19 in the 100 breaststroke.

“That was huge to see a massive time drop like that since last year for Karlee,” Beaumont said. “It came from hard work.

“Karlee is one of the most positive swimmers I have ever had.”

To qualify this season, Pearson cut nearly seven seconds off her time from 2024, advancing with a time of 1:12.95 — the 30th spot in the event.

Pearson was one of eight swimmers to qualify in the 100 breaststroke from the Ames regional.

“You hardly ever see that,” Beaumont said. “It shows how strong the breaststrokers from our regional had been.”

Algona will be represented in two events. Senior Reese Taylor will compete in the diving competition for the fourth time in her career. Taylor qualified with the 11th most points (382.35).

Bulldog junior Ella Welp had the 20th-best time in the 100-yard breaststroke (1:11.43).