EARLY DIVIDENDS
Precocious Dodgers experience success
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Makayla Knox put her name in Fort Dodge's girls swimming history books on Tuesday night.
The eighth-grader became the first non-high school student to compete for the varsity program this fall.
"Makayla works so hard," said FDSH head coach Ashley Beaumont. "You wouldn't know she's an eighth-grader.
"She’s always pushing to bet better. She's harder on herself than I am, she strives to be the best, and She’s very coachable."
Knox, who currently attends Webster City Middle School but competes for the Dodgers as part of a sharing agreement, didn't just see action on Tuesday -- she won.
The eighth-grader was champion of the 200 freestyle, touching the wall in 2:21.06.
Fort Dodge lost to Des Moines North by a final of 113-57 in the Dodger pool.
"North is a very good team," Beaumont said. "The girls had good swims and we had some tired efforts, but they competed."
Kylen Lubensky was the only other winner for FDSH, as the Manson Northwest Webster senior captured gold in the 100 butterfly (1:09.72). Lubensky was also second in the 200 individual medley (2:32.02).
"Kylen goes out there and does what she needs to do," Beaumont said. "We can move her around and put her where we need to."
The 200 medley quartet of Lubensky, senior Karlee Pearson (Manson Northwest Webster), freshman Clara Brown (St. Edmond) and senior Teagan Loots (FDSH) grabbed silver in 2:08.17.
Pearson was a double runner-up, taking second in the 100 freestyle (1:02.69) and the 100 breaststroke (1:18.05).
The quartet of Pearson, Brown, Knox and Lubensky finished second in the 200 freestyle (1:54.44), as did the 400 freestyle of Knox, Loots, Annika Weisberg and Adrian Bohlmann (4:39.69).
Loots was third in the 50 freestyle (29.97) and the 100 backstroke (1:19.16). Bohlmann grabbed third in the 500 freestyle (6:55.75).
Fort Dodge is back in action on Saturday when they host the Gary Winkler Invitational in the Dodger pool. Action begins at 10:30 a.m.
"We host the conference meet this year as well, so it's a great opportunity," Beaumont said. "The great thing about the Winkler Invite is everyone gets to swim, varsity and junior varsity.
"It will be the first full invitational for some of the younger girls. We have one of the better pools in the state, and there will be some really tough competition from around the state."
SIX WINS FOR DODGER JV
The Fort Dodge junior varsity swim squad came away with six victories and a dual win on Tuesday night.
The Dodgers topped Des Moines North, 58-37.
Fort Dodge's quartet of Jolee Gore, Danica Diedrick, Neveah Robinson and Hailey Johnson won the 200 freestyle (3:00.36).
The 400 relay squad of Robinson, Iris McAtee, Diedrick and Gore were champs as well in 6:00.73.
McAtee took the 200 freestyle (3:23.82). Neveah Robinson (1:19.76) was the 100 freestyle winner.
Ellen Townsend (32.43) earned the 50 freestyle gold, and Embree Meyer was the 100 backstroke titleist (1:50.37).
Hailey Johnson (3:30.76 in 200 freestyle) and Morgan Townsend (35.25 in 50 freestyle and 1:22.31 in 100 freestyle) both took second in the JV competition.