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Messenger photo by Britt Kudla: Fort Dodge’s Julia Eastman, a senior at Southeast Valley, competes in the Dodger pool during the regular season.
Julia Eastman has never had an issue with enthusiasm.
After the Southeast Valley senior and Fort Dodge swimmer discovered a purpose behind her swimming, her journey truly began to flourish.
Eastman’s podium finish at last month’s girls state swim meet concluded a remarkable high school career in the pool. Over her four years as a Dodger, Eastman participated in a total of 15 events at state, and her sixth-place showing in the 100 backstroke at Marshalltown perfectly capped off her high school journey as a student-athlete.
This also provided spectators a glimpse of what is to come as Eastman joins the swim squad at the University of Northern Iowa.
“I think I’ve always been aware that swimming was something I wanted to pursue after high school,” Eastman stated, who is actively engaged with the Southeast Valley music department as a member of concert band, jazz band, and more. “However, I didn’t take the sport extremely seriously until my junior year when I had time to truly concentrate on it.
“I’ve always held such a profound passion for swimming. I aspired to continue it indefinitely. It didn’t truly dawn on me until the middle of my junior year that I could pursue it further and genuinely excel.”
As an upperclassman, Eastman began to trust in her capabilities, and the outcomes spoke volumes. She narrowly missed setting a new school record in the 100 backstroke this season and inscribed her name in the FDSH history books with a 100 butterfly performance that broke a 39-year-old program record.
“I truly learned to be more self-assured,” Eastman remarked. “I was always intimidated competing against girls who were significantly faster than I was. It wasn’t until I started actually competing with them this year that I recognized I deserved to be (competing against the best).
“I just needed to relax and swim my own race, regardless of whether (the result and placement) ended up positive or negative.”
Achieving a podium finish — reserved for the Top-6 positions in every event — was a long-held ambition for Eastman, who saved her finest for last.
“State couldn’t have concluded in a better fashion,” Eastman said, planning to major in elementary education at UNI while also pursuing her reading and math endorsements and acquiring a coaching certification. “I just felt the burden of the past four years lift off my shoulders.
“It has always been my dream to stand on that podium wearing my Fort Dodge jacket. Accomplishing that is something I still find hard to comprehend.”
Alongside FDSH head coach Ashley Beaumont, Eastman acknowledged the contributions of former Dodger all-stater Eileen Fierke, classmate Addison Daniel, and former ACAC swim coach Joe Plane for guiding her as she developed into a standout swimmer.
“Their influence and support are the reason I’m in (this position) today,” Eastman commented.
Eastman chose to become a Panther due to how “extremely close-knit” and “family oriented” the program felt during her visits.
“It’s more than just me being an athlete and the sport feeling like a chore,” Eastman expressed. “I wanted a program that would back me up and that I could rely on (for assistance with) both my studies and swimming.
“The moment I arrived on campus and met with the UNI swim coaches, I knew that I could develop and thrive. It will satisfy all of my requirements for both my swimming and academics.”
TIMEOUT WITH JULIA EASTMAN
Vacation destination: Hawaii.
People I’d like to dine with: Nick Bosa and George Kittle.
It would surprise others that I: excel in math.
My sports role model: Regan Smith.
My everyday inspiration: my mom.
I can’t go a day without: my phone.
Nickname: Julio.
Favorite road trip: going to Florida.
What are you currently listening to? The ‘Wicked’ soundtrack.
Favorites…
Team: San Francisco 49ers.
Athlete: Caitlin Clark.
Class: history.
Film: The Mummy.
Binge watch: ‘Criminal Minds’ or ‘Bones.’
Book: ‘Better Than The Movies.’
Phone application: TikTok.
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