Traversing the Waterways

Sierra Walker put in the extra mileage to continue swimming career

By John Burbridge

sports@charlescitypress.com

CHARLES CITY — Sierra Walker has a secret.

She knows where one of the best pools in the state is located.

All you have to do is add water.

“I loved that pool,” Walker said of the drained water hole located within the old Charles City Middle School. For years it served as the home for the since-disbanded Comet swim teams.

“It was an 8-lane pool, and there are not too many of those around,” Walker said. “When I told my teammates about it, they said they would be willing to travel out here to practice in it.

“There is so much more you can get done when your team practices in an 8-lane pool.”

Instead of her teammates making 30-mile trips to Charles City, Walker made repeated trips to Mason City to conclude her high school swimming career.

“At first I wasn’t sure it would be worth the travel time,” said Walker, who drove herself back-and-forth after school as a member of the Mohawks girls swim team.

She had previously swam for the Comets for three years.

“But when I got there, they started talking about getting down to state, and that excited me,” Walker said. “When I swam here, there wasn’t much talk about advancing past regionals.”

With the Mohawks, Walker almost reached that next level.

At the regional state qualifying meet Oct. 29 in Fort Dodge, Walker with Mason City teammates Thea Lunning, Khya Barkema and Madison Braun came up short making it to state with a fifth-place time of 3:51.99 in the 400 freestyle.

Walker swam her fastest 100-yard stretch of her career during the race in the Mohawks improved 8 seconds from a previous squad best.

Walker, Barkema and Lunning also placed sixth in the 200 free relay.

Walker also competed in the 100 freestyle, where she placed 12th; and the 100 breaststroke, where she placed 14th.

As a team, the Mohawks finished fifth out of nine teams.

Walker started swimming at a young age with the Charles City YMCA, which also utilized the old middle school pool.

“I was happy I was able to swim here (for Charles City HS) when I could,” she said. “Hopefully, the program will be restarted again.

“But for now my only advice for someone in Charles City who wants to be a high school swimmer is for them to go to Mason City.”

Though swimming is her favorite sport and she hopes an opportunity to swim in college will eventually present itself, Walker’s high school athletic career is not over as she is due to become a Comet again.

“I plan to go back out for track again,” said Walker, who missed last track season due to an injury.