Senior Gracie Lindaman racked up four first-place finishes on Tuesday as the Ankeny girls’ swimming team dropped a 95-91 decision to visiting Johnston in a CIML Conference dual meet at Trail Point Aquatics Center. The 10th-ranked Hawkettes are now 6-3 on the season, including 2-2 in the conference.
Lindaman won the 50 freestyle in 25.74 seconds, then later took the 100 freestyle in 56.23. She anchored the winning 200 medley relay and also swam on the winning 200 freestyle relay.
Here is some inside info on Lindaman:
Congratulations on an outstanding meet against Johnston. Were you happy with your swims?
I was happy with my meet, and it was really exciting to leave my last home swim meet with four golds. I didn’t necessarily swim my fastest times or personal records, but I was in the ballpark and proud of the way my team and I competed.
I was there for part of the meet, and you seemed to be really happy after winning the 50 freestyle. Was it your time that you were so happy with, or just the fact that you won the race?
I was super excited after finishing my race because I looked up at the board and saw that my teammate, Kyra (Zinn), and I had gone 1-2 in the event. I knew that the team race would be tight, and just did what I could to help score us some points. I am also just trying to appreciate all the positive moments of this season, and not be too hard on myself when things aren’t going perfectly. The state meet was really difficult for me last season–for a number of reasons. I have tried really hard to learn and grow from that experience, and not put too much pressure on myself. I am in a really good place right now, and ready to finish this season strong.
Your team led the entire way before the Dragons won the final event, the 400 freestyle relay, to erase an 87-85 deficit. I’m sure you were disappointed by the loss, but were you pleased with your team’s performance against the No. 6 team in the state?
Even though I was disappointed that we came up a bit short, I was super proud of the way our girls competed. We all swam our hearts out, and the loss was certainly not from a lack of effort. We had a lot of PRs and good races, and you can never hang your head when teammates swim a personal best. Johnston is a beatable team for us, and I am excited to compete against them again during the championship part of the season.
You were honored along with the seven other seniors during the meet. Was it an emotional night for you, knowing that your swimming career is just about over?
I honestly don’t think I’ve accepted the fact that I’m a senior. The four years of high school swimming have gone by so fast. It was definitely sad to think that I’m almost done swimming after it has become such a huge part of my life for the past 12 years. Kyra, Leah (Schafer) and I have been doing this together for a really long time, and I have some great memories of us racing together at some big meets when we were little. I have had a lot of fun with my past and present coaches and teammates, and it will be really hard to leave them. I just try my best to set a good example to the younger swimmers every day like Anja (Peck), Josie (Parton), Caroline (Walker), Lexi (Henning) and Rachel (Rolow) did for me when I was an underclassman.
You have had three different head coaches during your high school career–Michelle Stout, Justin Crouch and now Dustin Rhoads for the last two seasons. Has it been pretty easy for you to transition from one coach to the next?
I try to view it as a positive thing. The transitions have all gone pretty well from year to year, and I feel I have been fortunate to have three really good people coach me in my career. They each have their own unique coaching styles and strengths, and I feel like I have learned different things from each of them. I know they all care about me and the team, so I am grateful for that. I also know I can get pretty silly at times, so I have appreciated them all allowing me to be me and allowing me to have fun along the way.
You are a three-time state qualifier in the 50 freestyle and a two-time qualifier in the 100 freestyle. Do you think your height helps you in the sprint events, since you are one of the taller swimmers on your team?
I haven’t ever thought of that I guess, but I don’t think my height has a huge impact on my swimming. I think for me the biggest thing I need to focus on is getting off the blocks well, stretching out my underwaters, and keeping my stroke long. If I execute these things well, I typically like the outcome of my races. With that said, I have worked really hard at learning the discus for track this past summer, and I will be going to college on a rowing scholarship. So for those two sports, I know for a fact being 6-foot tall certainly helps me out.
Your team will travel to Dowling Catholic on Tuesday to face the No. 1 Maroons, who lead the state power rankings by 141 points over No. 2 Waukee Northwest. What do you hope to get out of the meet?
As you said, the Maroons are an extremely good team who will contend for the state title. I really have been trying to focus on the journey this season rather than each race’s outcome. I try to be coachable and get better each time I race. I’ll take the meet one race at a time, compete my heart out, and be the best version of myself to see where I can stack up against some of the best swimmers in the state!
Your team has three more dual meets left before the conference meet later this month at Waukee. Do you feel like your team is making good progress at this point in order to get where you want to be at the end of the season?
I am really happy with the way our team is coming along! I think we have been a much better team this season than people thought we would be. We obviously have a ways to go and work to do before championship season, but I believe in our coach and our training. I think we will be ready to swim our best when it matters most. Our relays are ranked pretty (high) right now, and I know our girls will rise to the occasion for state. It would mean a lot to be in contention for a spot on the podium with my teammates.
The conference meet will be held at the new $35 million Waukee Natatorium, where your team dropped a 108-78 decision to Waukee Northwest on Sept. 19. What were your impressions of their new pool?
It’s a beautiful facility they are lucky to have. I am super excited to go back for the conference meet. I had some good swims there earlier this season so it will be fun to go back and compete against the rest of the CIML. We have such a competitive league nothing will be easy, but going against such great competition will prepare us for what we will see at the state meet.
You told me recently that you’ll be joining the rowing team at Iowa next year, even though you have never participated in the sport. What sparked your interest in rowing?
I actually went to a rowing combine at Iowa. I was told they are always looking for tall athletes, and knew that Ankeny alumni Ashlynn Bauer and Jaecee Hall had good experiences there. Without preparing for it, I tested really well in the strength and endurance components because of my time in the weight room, swim, triathlon, and track experiences. Because it is not a heavily contested high school sport in the Midwest, coaches have certain criteria they look for in athletes, and I checked all the boxes. I passed on my testing numbers to several programs, and ended up being recruited by several Division I programs around the country. I ended up narrowing the list to Ohio State, Kansas, Oregon State and Iowa because I liked their coaches the best. Even though I have never sat in a boat, the coaches see something in me and I am excited about the next chapter in my athletic career. I will miss swim and track, but can certainly use what I have learned in these sports at the next level.
What are you planning to study in college?
I am planning on majoring in biology and attending PA (physician associate) school.
