Ryan Murken

Your Prep Sports

IOWA CITY – Swimming is nothing new for Grace Hoeper.

The Solon sophomore has been competing for the Iowa Flyers swim program for years.

Even with all of her swimming experience last season was a brand-new experience for Hoeper.

Not only was Hoeper making her debut in the high school swimming scene a year ago she was doing it in an unfamiliar place with a largely new group of teammates.

Hoeper, who attends school at Solon competes on the swim team at City High.

“Last year especially it was really hard getting started because I was hesitant to get to know people,” Hoeper said. “They were all super nice and it was so easy to meet people and I’ve really loved it.”

During a freshman season in which she posted a pair of top-six finishes at the state swim meet Hoeper was embraced by her new City High teammates.

Now with a year of high school experience under her belt and a season with her new team Hoeper has emerged as one of the top swimmers in the state.

Hoeper has the fastest time in the state this season in the 100 butterfly at 57.61 and holds the second fastest time in the 24.16 in the 500 freestyle.

The sophomore standout also has top 12 times state-wide in four different events this fall.

“It’s really fun to watch Grace compete,” City High coach Mandi Kowal said. “I just love to see her work and compete.”

Hoeper concluded a strong freshman season with a fifth-place finish in the 100 freestyle in 52.82 and a sixth-place finish in the 50 freestyle in 24.06 at the state meet.

This season Hoeper has built on that success.

“I have started off stronger than I did last year and I am happy to be where I am right now,” Hoeper said. “I didn’t come in with super big expectations but I am happy with where I am at right now.”

A part of the increased success for Hoeper this season has been her teammates.

Now more comfortable in her position among the City High team Hoeper has flourished.

She was voted a team captain by her teammates and has embraced the team atmosphere that surrounds high school swimming.

“She really enjoys the high school and the camaraderie of it,” Kowal said. “We have eight or nine Solon kids on our team so there is quite a representation from that school and that is great.”

Hoeper has taken on her leadership role on the team.

She says she communicated with her coaches and teammates through the offseason and that work has helped City High this fall.

“I think it’s gone really well,” Hoeper said. “Our whole team in general we have really stepped it up in the offseason and you can really tell this year so I’m just really happy for everyone.”

Hoeper won the 50 freestyle and 100 butterfly at the City High Invitational last month.

Last week she posted victories in the 100 backstroke (1:02.05) and the 200 freestyle (1:58.67) in a dual meet with West High.

Her top time in the 50 freestyle this season of 24.16 is just off the top time in the state of 24.06 held by Johnston senior Olivia Swalley.

The time of 57.61 by Hoeper in the 100 fly is nearly a second faster than the second best time of 58.4 held by Davenport Central junior Hannah Cousins.

“It’s what she did in the offseason,” Kowal aid. “She has always been swimming at IFly and they have a tremendous program and she has been swimming a long time but that can make it harder when you’ve been swimming a long time your improvement is going to be harder to make happen and she has really improved and that’s impressive.”

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