Swimming and Diving Inks Six on Signing Day

AMES, Iowa — Iowa State head coach Matt Leach introduced the primary signees of the 2026 recruiting class, welcoming six proficient swimmers and divers from Iowa, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Italy to the Cyclone household.

The 2026-27 roster additions embody Hayden Bailey (Adel, Iowa), Audrey Lindstrom (Batavia, Ill.), Katie Malm (Oswego, Ill.), Scout McQueen (Wausau, Wis.), Tessa Moore (Maple Grove, Minn.), and Asia Salvato (Imola, Italy). Each brings championship expertise, management and a drive to take Cyclone Swimming and Diving to new heights.

“This class is smaller in numbers but very mighty and it is full of talent and athletes but what I am more excited about are the people that want to see Cyclone swimming and diving reach the highest levels,” mentioned Leach. “From top to bottom, our 2026 signing class is full of talent, hard workers and includes a top 100 recruit (at the time of her verbal commitment) and is one of our strongest recruiting classes in recent memory and we want to continue to develop great people, amazing teammates, strong students and outstanding competitors. We are excited to welcome the Lindstrom Family, Malm Family, McQueen Family, Moore Family, Bailey Family, and the Salvato Family (again) to our Cyclone Family!”

Hayden Bailey – Swimmer – Adel, Iowa – Waukee Northwest High School

A standout from Waukee Northwest High School, Hayden Bailey is the daughter of Kent and Nicole Bailey and sister to Morgan and Brooklyn. A four-year varsity letterwinner and crew captain, Bailey is already a six-time state champion, serving to lead her crew to back-to-back state titles in 2023 and 2024. She holds college information within the 100 butterfly (54.71), 100 backstroke (56.12), 100 freestyle (52.97) and 50 freestyle (24.23). Bailey has been named to the Des Moines Register Elite Team, First Team All-State, and is a multiple-time All-American.

Leach on Bailey… “As we grow, these are the people we want to continue to recruit and develop. The number one recruit out of Iowa has Cardinal and Gold running through her veins and a work ethic that is going to help her reach new heights. A state champion along with a heart of gold, Hayden will add to our fly, backstroke, and freestyle groups on day one. Welcome home Hayden and Bailey Family!”

Audrey Lindstrom – Swimmer – Batavia, Ill. – Batavia High School

From Batavia, Illinois, Audrey Lindstrom has made her mark as one of many prime freestylers within the Midwest. The daughter of John and Melissa Lindstrom and sister to Nathan and Kora, she is a four-year varsity letterwinner and crew captain, incomes All-Conference, All-State and All-America honors, together with Sectional titles throughout her highschool profession. Lindstrom is a four-time state qualifier, crew MVP and multiple-time Athlete of the Month recipient.

Leach on Lindstrom… “A strong addition to help our freestyle groups, Audrey has been knocking down the door to be a Cyclone! Another addition to our strong Illinois contingent on our team. We are excited to welcome Audrey and her family into our Cyclone Family and can’t wait to see her grow here in Ames!”

Katie Malm – Diver – Oswego, Ill. – Oswego East High School

As certainly one of Illinois’ prime divers, Katie Malm involves Iowa State from Oswego East High School, the place she constructed a robust file of success. The daughter of Curtis and Jennifer Malm and sister to Patrick and Jack, she is a four-year varsity letterwinner, four-time sectional champion and three-time convention champion. Malm earned All-Conference honors each season and All-State recognition from 2022–2024, capturing the 2024 IHSA State Championship title and 2024 All-American honors. She additionally helped lead her crew to the 2023 IHSA Combined Team Championships.

A former Level 10 gymnast, Malm was the 2023 Eastern National Bar Champion and Regional Champion, showcasing her athletic versatility. Her school-record scores of 295.80 (6-dive) and 540.65 (11-dive) spotlight her excellence and consistency on the boards.

Leach on Malm… “Katie is the highschool state Champion from Illinois with a robust gymnastic background that has set her aside on the boards and we’re so excited to have her not solely compete at a excessive degree on 1M Springboard but in addition deliver her athleticism to the 3M and Platform occasions! Welcome to the Cyclone Family!  

Head diving coach Jeff Warrick on Malm… “I am so excited that Katie is going to be a Cyclone! Her character and commitment level mesh well with our team. She is an Illinois High School State Champion and is extremely athletic. I am really looking forward to working with her next fall and seeing the impact she makes on both our team and in the Big 12!”

Scout McQueen – Swimmer – Wausau, Wis. – Wausau West High School

A flexible IM and breaststroke swimmer, Scout McQueen joins the Cyclones as certainly one of Wisconsin’s prime all-around swimmers. The daughter of Michael McQueen and sister to Willem, she is a multiple-time USA State Champion and YMCA Nationals finalist, highlighted by an Eighth-place end at YMCA Nationals within the 400 IM. McQueen was topped 2025 Wisconsin State Champion in each the 200 IM and 400 IM, underscoring her dominance and flexibility.

Leach on McQueen… “Another amazing person and addition to Cyclone Nation! Scout and her family from day one of the recruiting process had great connections with Ames, Iowa State and our staff. Scout is going to do great things in the classroom, weight room and pool. I am excited for her to get here and help learn from our strong Breaststroke and IM groups! I’m glad you are a Cyclone and welcome to the family!”

Tessa Moore – Swimmer – Maple Grove, Minn. – Wayzata High School

Tessa Moore, daughter of Ray and Amy Moore and sister to Pete, joins the Cyclones from Wayzata High School, the place she was a two-time state champion and All-American within the backstroke. She is a Winter Juniors qualifier and Central Zone Champion with private bests of 1:59.67 within the 200 again and 56.47 within the 100 again, rating her among the many prime highschool swimmers within the Midwest.

Leach on Moore… “Tessa and the Moore Family are such great people, and I know that Tessa will add to our culture and our backstroke group.  I know she will flourish in our competitive program that is centered around family first, academics second and competing at the highest levels third. It’s going to be a lot of fun working with Tessa and having her family cheer her on and all of our Cyclones! Welcome to the Cyclone Family!”

Asia Salvato – Swimmer – Imola, Italy – Istituto Scarabelli-Ghini

Representing Imola, Italy, Asia Salvato is an Italian National Junior Champion and multi-time nationwide medalist in butterfly and IM occasions. The daughter of Riccardo Salvato and Federica Noferini and sister to present Cyclone Sofia Salvato, she has been topped National Junior Champion (2023–2025) and Vice-Champion (2022–2024). Her prime occasions embody 1:00.09 (100 fly SC), 1:01.91 (100 fly LC), 2:10.19 (200 fly SC), 2:14.48 (200 fly LC), and 4:45.41 (400 IM).

Leach on Salvato… “An amazing person that is ready to compete at the next level through developing her elite process and working toward competing at the Big 12 level and NCAA level. A top-level flyer and underwater specialist.  Another Salvato Family member that will be a Cyclone which makes me excited as we keep growing! Let’s welcome Asia to our Cyclone Family. Go Cyclones!”