Three of Iowa State’s top swimmers will take off early for spring break. However, this will just be a relaxing break from academics, as the Cyclones compete in the National Invitational Championships in Ocala, Florida.
The championships will take place Thursday through Saturday. Three Cyclones have been outstanding in various events throughout the season, giving them the opportunity to compete at the highest level against some of the best college swimmers in the United States. Sophomore Grace Swoboda, freshman Kendall Mallers and sophomore Anja Peck are the qualifiers for Iowa State.
All three of the Cyclone qualifiers will be appearing at the championships for the first time, a great experience for the athletes and hopefully we can see these three and others in the future at the National Invitational Championships.
Swoboda qualifier
Swoboda has been having a historic season in the breaststroke. With her only being a sophomore, there is tons of buzz around her and she very well could keep making appearances at the national level.
Swoboda will represent the Cyclones in the 50-yard, 100-yard and 200-yard breaststroke. Swoboda qualified for the 200-yard breaststroke in the Cyclones’ last competition at the Big 12 Championships.
In her last contest, Swoboda was an A-level finalist, finishing sixth place in the 200-yard breaststroke.
Swoboda has also qualified for the 50-yard freestyle and will also compete in that race for the Cyclones.
Mallers qualifier
Mallers is the second qualifier for Iowa State and has more of a unique representation for Iowa State in comparison with Swoboda and Peck. Mallers was impressive in Greensboro and swam a great 50-yard butterfly, going wall to wall in just 24.65 seconds, which was able to sneak her in as a qualifier, with invitations being handed out to those who swam a 50-yard butterfly in 24.89.
Mallers’ 24.65-second 50-yard butterfly performance was also a personal record, achieved at just the right time in the season.
Mallers will also swim in the 100-yard and 200-yard butterfly events, showing her niche ability to perform in the butterfly stroke.
Peck qualifier
The last qualifier for Iowa State has similar events to Swoboda. Peck will join Swoboda in the 100-yard and the 200-yard breaststroke, but will be by herself in an ISU uniform for the 200-yard individual medley and the 400-yard individual medley.
Peck was able to place in the top 15 at the Big 12 Championships, thus earning herself a B-finals appearance in the 200-yard breaststroke and sealing an invitation to Florida to swim with her other teammates.
Peck and Swoboda will look to terrorize other swimmers in the breaststroke events, showing that iron sharpens iron and a potential duo for the future of Iowa State swim and dive.
For those who are interested in cheering on the trio of Swoboda, Mallers and Peck, can tune in to the National Invitational Championships, which will be streamed on YouTube.
