The Ames boys swimming team is aiming for another high finish at the Iowa state meet

The Ames boys swimming team is hoping to carry the momentum from last year's third-place finish at the Iowa high school state swimming meet over into the 2023-2024 season.

Last year's junior class led the way for the Little Cyclones. Now with that group entering their senior season, Ames hopes to make another run at a top-five finish.

"We're really excited," said Ames coach Joe Fisher. "We have a great group of seniors who worked their butts off all summer — for four years really. We've got a great group of juniors who have a lot of state meet experience returning. It's just a great group."

Ames will miss the services of 100-yard breaststroke champion Joshua Chen and his younger brother Nick, who moved with their family to Texas. But they still have an outstanding group coming back led by seniors Josh Fisher, Ian McCorkle and Evan Feilmeyer.

Josh Fisher — Joe's oldest son — placed fourth at last year's state meet in the 200 freestyle with a time of 1:42.21. He also took fifth in the 500 freestyle with a 4:42.21 showing.

His 500 preliminary time of 4:36.50 at last year's state meet broke his own school record in the event.

"It would be fun to do that again," Josh Fisher said. "Beyond that, having my team supporting me will be a big thing and I want to be there for my team too. That is really my big goal is to be a good leader for the rest of the guys."

Fisher's younger brother, Chris, now a junior, also swam at last year's state meet. This season the youngest Fisher joins the fun with the addition of freshman Ryan Fisher.

"It's our one year we'll get that, so we'll have a lot of fun," Josh Fisher said. "Chris did really well last year and he's hoping to do even better this year. Ryan is up and coming — I'm excited to see how he does. I think my dad will have us race a few times or even put us all on the same relay."

More: How Josh and Chris Fisher keep the family tradition of swimmers going strong at Ames

Coach Fisher said he is looking forward to having all three of his sons swim this season.

"My fondest memories of swimming are swimming at Ames High School with my brother (Jeff Fisher)," the coach said. "To see my own sons get to experience — that is really special to me. I am so looking forward to that."

A season ago, McCorkle took eighth in the 100 butterfly (52.55) and Feilmeyer came in sixth in the 50 freestyle (21.23).

"I hope to do well like I did last year," McCorkle said. "I got in a final at state and I'm hoping to make finals at state again and overall improve from last season."

Feilmeyer, McCorkle and junior Tristan Day were all part of Ames' state champion 200 medley relay team. That team swam a 1:33.24 to win the title at last year's state meet.

Day, Josh Fisher and junior Chris Fisher were all part of Ames' 200 freestyle relay team that took 10th at state in 1:27.92. All four swimmers from the Little Cyclones' 400 freestyle relay team that placed eighth with a time of 3:11.38 are back in Feilmeyer, Chris Fisher, McCorkle and Josh Fisher.

Senior Tommy Flannery also swam at state for Ames last season. The rest of the 2023-2024 senior class is made up of Ross Bergeson, Jones Drury, Alex Gatiba, Justin Shin, Parker White and Daniel Block.

More: Ames wins two events, places third at the boys state swimming meet

The Ames junior class features Day, Chris Fisher, Merrick Basnet, Jackson Bell, Christian Gallt, Simon Marshall-Gilbert, Zachary Peters, Solomon Strosahl and Kenan Taintor.

Quin Barker, Owen Caldwell, Davis Cowan, Silas Erickson, Evan McCorkle and Jonathan Ryken make up the Ames sophomore class. Joining Ryan Fisher as incoming freshmen are Jack Fowler, Brandon Terry and Dorian Yates.

Coach Fisher said he expects the 2024 state field to be loaded.

"I'd be shocked if Waukee didn't win it again — I pick them every year — but Valley is really good, Linn-Mar has some really good returning swimmers, Iowa City West is really talented and deep and I know I'm forgetting one," Joe Fisher said. "But up there at the top there are going to be four or five teams competing for a state title. It will be a neat season to watch. We have some fast swimmers in Iowa and that's always exciting."

But the Ames swimmers feel they will be in the mix for a spot on the podium at state.

“Every year I feel like our team has grown,” Josh Fisher said. “We’re excited to get in the water, swim through those meets and head to state. Last year we got third and that was a dream come true because we were just looking for a top-five finish. This year we’re just looking at third again. There are so many other good teams in the state this year, but we’re looking to get a top-three finish again. That’d be awesome.”

Ames hosts Indianola and Ottumwa in a double-dual meet at the Dan Flannery Pool in Ames to open the season on Nov. 30. The meet will start at 5:30 p.m.

This article originally appeared on Ames Tribune: The Ames boys swimming team will continue to aim high in 2023-2024