Perry’s Aleah Karolus knows the routine.  The outstanding swimmer has performed in the state’s biggest meet before.  The junior freestyler is preparing for her third trip to state in as many years, when she travels to Iowa City for the 2025 Iowa Swimming championships at the University of Iowa.  Karolus enters this week with the state’s fastest qualifying time in the 50 m freestyle, while also securing a spot in the preliminaries of the 100 freestyle.

“I love the experience and this really is the icing on the cake getting to compete at the highest level,” stated Karolus.  “I earned the prequalifying state time in the 50 meters back in September at a dual meet at North, and qualified for the 100 meters in a tournament in Ames in October.  I love sprinting and it is my favorite thing to do in the pool and means a lot to me to be able to do the thing I love at a high level.”

Karolus learned a lot in her two previous trips to state and made adjustments this offseason with her training cycle.

“This summer I swam with the Des Moines Summer Swimming Federation and picked up some valuable experience and through the Perry summer team here in town.  I was in the water almost everyday and that, coupled with a lot of time in the weight room, helped propel me to faster times this year.”

Karolus will be joined by sophomore Ellie Hughes when the state tournament opens up Thursday in Iowa City.