Iowa Girls High School Swimming: Top Returning Athletes In The Pool The 2026 Iowa girls high school swim season has kicked off, as duals and meets are currently underway around the state. Before the season progresses, here is a look back at the athletes set to return who posted the top times in their respective events. The state swimming championships are scheduled for November 12, with prelims on the 12th and finals the following day. Regional qualifying diving events are set for November 5, with swimming qualifying two days later on November 7. Times listed below are from the Bound website and include the grade level for each swimmer. 50 Yard Freestyle Annie Gilligan, Dubuque Senior, 23.52 Jaya Stacy, Bettendorf, 23.90 Leah Mason, Cedar Falls, 23.92 Brielle Andedo, Bettendorf, 24.03 Aleah Karolus, Perry, 24.22 Taylor Hall, Dowling Catholic, 24.23 Rio Hammitt, Lewis Central, 24.31 Haylie Weinheimer, Des Moines North, 24.37 Kate Trosper, Waukee Northwest, 24.39 Kimber Corwin, Dowling Catholic, 24.61 100 Yard Freestyle Annie Gilligan, Dubuque Senior, 51.21 Kate Trosper, Waukee Northwest, 51.49 Charlotte Qualley, Dowling Catholic, 51.70 Ellie McCorkle, Ames, 51.98 Brielle Andedo, Bettendorf, 52.54 Ella Gardner, Cedar Falls, 52.56 Taylor Hall, Dowling Catholic, 52.93 Rio Hammitt, Lewis Central, 53.01 Camryn Steining, Pleasant Valley, 53.07 Tori Kettles, Waukee, 53.53 200 Yard Freestyle Annie Gilligan, Dubuque Senior, 1:50.40 Charlotte Qualley, Dowling Catholic, 1:50.42 Ellie McCorkle, Ames, 1:50.86 Maelyn Woltz, Cedar Falls, 1:52.90 Ella Gardner, Cedar Falls, 1:53.02 Lydia Rehmert, Cedar Falls, 1:54.97 Lily McFadden, Dubuque Hempstead, 1:55.61 Caite Schaffel, Linn-Mar, 1:56.46 Riley Gojkovich, Waukee Northwest, 1:56.57 Tori Kettles, Waukee, 1:56.87 500 Yard Freestyle Ellie McCorkle, Ames, 5:00.#iowa #dowling_catholic #dubuque_senior #bettendorf #cedar_falls
Iowa Native Carter Baumler Makes Texas Rangers’ Opening Day Roster Carter Baumler, an Iowa native and former Dowling Catholic High School baseball player, has secured a spot on the Texas Rangers’ opening day roster. The announcement came during a spring training game on Monday, when Rangers manager Skip Schumaker broke the news to Baumler while he was on the mound. The moment unfolded in the fifth inning of the Rangers’ matchup against the Kansas City Royals, as Schumaker approached Baumler after retiring the first two hitters of the inning. Baumler’s teammates gathered around him, and the scene was filled with smiles and celebration. Baumler was drafted directly out of high school in 2020, selected 133rd overall by the Baltimore Orioles organization. Despite facing challenges, including injuries that required him to work harder in the years following his draft, Baumler’s dedication paid off. His perseverance was highlighted by his consistent effort during the winter leading up to big league camp, where he trained diligently to prepare for the professional level. The unique way Baumler learned of his call-up has sparked conversations among his coaches and teammates. Dowling Catholic’s head baseball coach, Jarek Sefrit, noted that it was a rare occurrence for a manager to interrupt a game to deliver such news. “That was probably the first time I’ve ever seen that unique situation where the manager walks out in the middle of the game and was able to break the news to him,” Sefrit said. He added that Baumler had been a standout player at Dowling Catholic, pitching on the varsity team for four years, even as a freshman. Baumler’s journey has also been marked by his commitment to mentorship.#carter_baumler #skip_schumaker #texas_rangers #dowling_catholic #jarek_sefrit
