– Messenger photo by Britt Kudla Eileen Fierke of Fort Dodge
Eileen Fierke is so close that she can feel it.
The Fort Dodge senior will be heading to the girls’ state swimming meet in Marshalltown this weekend to compete for medals in both the 100 freestyle and breaststroke.
Fierke’s fast times at Regionals — including a high school record 53.21 in the 100 Free — set the stage for a potentially memorable end to a brilliant four-year varsity career.
“I’m aiming for podium finishes at both (individual) events” said Fierke, both an Iowa Alliance Conference and regional gold medalist. “Being third and sixth (seeded) puts me in a good place.
“Because this is my fourth time (in the state), everything is easier and a little less stressful. I know how the meeting works. I put in a lot of work this season and got a lot of help from club manager Joe Plane who helped me heal from my stroke. He’s one of the main reasons I’m here and I don’t think I would have made it this far without his help.”
Fierke entered the scene as a freshman in 2019, finishing 10th in the 200m freestyle. The next season, she made the podium at the same event, finishing sixth and also adding an eighth performance over 100 breaststroke.
Hampered by injuries as a junior, Fierke still advanced to Marshalltown but finished 18th in the 100 freestyle. Now she’s healthy and ready to mark her high school career with a memorable one.
“It’s kind of surreal that after this weekend I’ll be done swimming for Fort Dodge.” said Fierke, who watched older siblings Elora and Andrew stand out ahead of her as all-staters for the Dodger program. “But I hope to go out with a bang and be remembered.”
In addition to her two individual competitions, Fierke will also compete in the 200m medley relay and the 200m freestyle relay for FDSH. Fierke now has status in the 100 freestyle (twice), 100 breaststroke (twice), 200 and 500 freestyle, 200 medley, 200 freestyle relay (four times), 200 medley relay (three times), and 400 freestyle relay (twice).
Fierke plans to attend the University of Iowa next fall to study sports medicine. She is undecided about her sporting future; Andrew was a Hawkeye swimmer and Elora is a member of the school’s women’s rowing team.
Holiday destination: everywhere with a beach.
My sporting role model:
Teach Thorson.
I can’t go a day without: Taking a nap.
Favorite road trip: to Canada with my family.
What are you listening to? The new album by Drake and 21 Savage.
What do you like to watch? Big mouth
favorites…
Team: Iowa Hawkeyes.
Class: outdoor recreation.
Phone app: Instagram.
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