—Photo by Jake Ryder/Marshalltown Globe Gazette fort dodge’s julia eastman celebrates after finding out she finished sixth in the 100 backstroke at the state swim meet in Marshalltown.

MARSHALLTOWN — The moment that Julia Eastman found out she would be on the medal podium was a feeling like nothing before.

The Fort Dodge senior placed sixth in the 100 backstroke, making her Fort Dodge’s first podium finisher since Eileen Fierke in 2022.

“The moment I saw a six by my lane when I finished the 100 back, I felt a sigh of relief knowing that I was able to finish strong even if I wasn’t very happy with my first couple races,” Eastman said. “Being able to stand on top of that podium was really an out of body experience.”

Fellow senior Hailey Vogel also reached the A Final, finishing eighth in the 100 breaststroke.

Eastman, a Southeast Valley student who travels to Fort Dodge for practice and competition for the Dodgers, has competed in 15 state events in her career.

In Saturday’s 100 backstroke, she finished in 59 seconds, tied with Sioux City West’s Erin Mahoney. Annie Gilligan of Dubuque Senior, was the champion in 56.72.

“I have seen so many of my role models like Eileen Fierke and Taylor Hartley stand on that podium,” Eastman said. “When I was standing up there on the podium hearing my name be called for placing at state, I couldn’t have been more on top of the world.

“To be a part of this program is such an honor. I am so honored to have been able to swim this amazing group of girls.”

Eastman entered with a lot of momentum, snapping the 39-year old record in the 100 butterfly with a 58.51, beating the record of 59.44.

“It meant the world to be able to finish my career the way I did,” Eastman said. “Having always come up short to qualifying for an A final so to be able to do it at this last meet means so much. “The state meet has always been a place where I felt a lot of pressure and usually let it get to me. So when I finished my 100 fly, I knew that I didn’t feel any pressure because I knew that I could really have a good finish.”

In the B Final of the 100 butterfly, Eastman cut more time off her prelim time, clocking in with a 59.67, .31 faster than in the prelims for a 10th place finish.

“Julia did an outstanding job making it to the finals,” Beaumont said. “To finish her senior year this way was incredible.

“It’s incredible how dedicated she was. She would drive to Fort Dodge for morning practice and weights and drive back to school. She would then drive here for practice and back to school. She is very dedicated and loves swimming. It’s her passion.”

Eastman has enjoyed her time in the Dodger pool and being a part of Fort Dodge’s swim program.

“My teammates are some of the biggest cheerleaders and are always the first people to celebrate everyone’s wins,” Eastman said. “Coach Ashley has made the sport so fun and taught me so much not just about swimming but how to mentally deal with swimming. I like learning how to overcome pressure and dealing with those battles.”

Eastman will remain close to home as she will compete with Northern Iowa next season.

” I wanted to be able to leave an impact on this program. When I was younger, I had always dreamed of being on the Fort dDodge swim team and looking up to those highs chool girls hoping to be them.

“So I hope that I was able to leave a legacy on this program and show young girls that it doesn’t matter if you swim for an intense swim program. Just being willing to have fun, be a good teammate and swim fast. I promise that all the joy you bring to this swim team will be worth more than any medal or record you have.”

Both Eastman and Vogel qualified in four state events again for the Dodgers. Vogel, who started swimming for the Dodgers as a sophomore, has qualified for 12 state events.

“This was probably the best state meet I’ve gotten to take part in, and the only state I ended up also dropping time,” Vogel said. “Being a part of Fort Dodge has been a wonderful experience, and I’m thankful the team and Ashley welcomed me with open arms when I came in my sophomore year.”

In the 100 breaststroke eighth place finish, she finished in 1:06.96. Lucy Parson of Waterloo West was the winner in 1:02.43.

“Hailey is one of those people that is always positive,” Beaumont said. “She broke her own school record again and had an amazing prelim swim. I’m so incredibly proud of her.”

Vogel was 10th in the 50 freestyle with a time of 24.82.

“Fort Dodge itself has given me so much more opportunity than I had before and opened up so many other possibilities,” Vogel said. “I’m grateful for the staff and teachers who have supported me along the way, and for Ashley who has been my coach long before high school season.

“A lot of coaches have come and gone in my career, and she has been there all along.”

Fort Dodge’s 200 medley relay turned in the school’s best state performance in a relay in 34 years.

The Dodgers placed seventh. They cut time off their seed time (1:51.98). The quartet of Eastman, Vogel, junior Gracie Harvey and sophomore Kylen Lubensky finished in 1:51.53.

Fort Dodge’s 1990 200 medley relay team won the state title and the 200 freestyle earned bronze. The state championship team was Cassandra Fletchall, Sherri Bushman, Jenny Brown and Julie Moser.

“Finishing seventh was one of our highest finishes in a long time,” Beaumont said. “This is the team that broke the school record.”

Fort Dodge’s 400 freestyle relay team of Eastman, Harvey, senior Delaney O’Connor and Vogel touched the wall in 3:53.08 for a 28th place finish.

“Gracie and Kylen will be back and continue to show their leadership,” Beaumont said. “They have experience and are motivated.”

On Friday O’Connor competed in the diving event, placing 32nd. She was Fort Dodge’s first diver since 1998.

“It was awesome to see what Delaney did,” Beaumont said. “She earned her spot and found a passion in a new sport (diving).”

The Dodgers placed 12th as a team with 61.5 points. Dowling was the team champion with 260 and Waukee Northwest finished with 243.

“It was incredible to finish 12th out of 30 teams that scored,” Beaumont said. “We beat some teams at the state meet that we didn’t beat in the season, like Newton, Marshalltown and Spencer.

“To be able to score and compete was incredible. Teams like Ankeny and Johnston congratulated us and it’s great to make an impact in their eyes.”