Lily Van Der Linden, Ky Thompson stand out in women swimming at Ames

When it involves their personalities, Ames women swimmers Lily Van Der Linden and Ky Thompson are polar opposites.

Van Der Linden is quiet and reserved. Thompson loves to speak it up along with her teammates and coaches.

One factor they do have in widespread is that neither swimmer is a pupil at Ames. Van Der Linden is a senior at Gilbert and Thompson is beginning her junior 12 months at Gilbert.

“We love having these out-of-district kids,” mentioned Ames coach Joe Fisher. “They bring so much to the team.” 

They additionally each ship huge ends in the pool for the Little Cyclones.

Van Der Linden is the highest returning distance swimmer for Ames. She positioned ninth within the 500-yard freestyle and fifteenth within the 200 freestyle on the 2024 IGHSAU state swimming and diving meet.

Even although she doesn’t say a lot, when it comes time to placed on the swimming cap and goggles, she makes her presence identified.

“She gets after it,” Fisher mentioned. “If she has a race in the pool, she is an animal.”

More: Ames girls swimming and diving team ready to make the most of coach Fisher’s final run

Van Der Linden started swimming when she was 11 years old. Coming up through the Ames Cyclone Aquatics Club, she got used to swimming with girls from other school districts.

“I love getting to come down here and swim with different people,” Van Der Linden said. “I think it’s a great way to meet people, and everyone is just so nice and fun to be around.” 

One of the people Van Der Linden enjoys swimming with the most is sophomore Ellie McCorkle.

McCorkle is the top swimmer on the team. She placed fourth at the state meet in the 200 freestyle last year, which is also one of Van Der Linden’s top events.

“I really like attending to swim with Ellie,” Van Der Linden mentioned. “She’s so good and she’s so much fun.” 

Van Der Linden excels at distance races. But she is keen to swim any occasion that helps earn her staff factors throughout meets.

“I just do whatever the team needs,” Van Der Linden mentioned. “It’s just all for the team.” 

More: What we discovered from Ames inserting fifth at Iowa highschool women state swimming and diving meet

On the opposite finish of the spectrum, Thompson’s bubbly persona is strictly what the staff wants throughout lengthy, grueling practices. Especially early within the morning.

“Swimming is a brutal sport,” Fisher mentioned. “It’s lonely and you spend most of the time with your face in the water. Some of the best times we have at practice is in between sets, where we’re just laughing and joking and Ky is always talking. We love Ky. She’s certainly the personality of the team.”

Thompson swims the 100 freestyle, backstroke and butterfly occasions individually. She additionally swims the 400 freestyle relay together with Van Der Linden and the 200 medley relay as nicely.

In 2024, Thompson positioned 14th at state within the 100 backstroke. She additionally joined Van Der Linden in serving to Ames end eighth within the 400 freestyle relay.

Her favourite swimming reminiscence to this point was swimming on the Linn-Mar Invitational as a freshman.

“Joe gave me a pep talk before my first 500,” Thompson mentioned. “He sat me down and said ‘You got it! If you (start to) drown, we’ll save you.’ He was very supportive — he always has been.” 

Fisher is retiring on the finish of the boys swimming season this winter. Both Van Der Linden and Thompson wish to assist ship their mentor out on a excessive observe.

“It’s going to be sad and happy at the same time,” Van Der Linden mentioned. “I’m glad I get to do it with him one last time.” 

Both swimmers wish to do every part they will to assist Ames reach 2025.

“We’re doing well as a team,” Van Der Linden mentioned. “Everyone is hoping to get best times and have a lot of fun.” 

Van Der Linden and Thompson present the staff with expertise and depth. Both swimmers have targets of qualifying for state individually.

Even with their differing personalities, they share the identical need to profit from their remaining season with coach Fisher.

“Come together, cheer each other on and get best times,” Thompson mentioned. “Have fun no matter the time we put up on the board.” 

Joe Randleman covers highschool sports activities for the Ames Tribune. Contact him at jrandleman@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @JoeRandleman