A junior from Adel-DeSoto-Minburn High School reflects on the atmosphere during the state swimming meet in mid-November.

Emma Popp tells Raccoon Valley Radio that she mostly participated in the 100 Yard Backstroke and the 200 Individual Medley for the 2024 season. She says that she began swimming seven years ago because her friend convinced her to do it. Personally, Popp loves the 100 Backstroke because it’s fun and one of her better races. She achieved her first qualification for the state meet in Marshalltown in both events, and expresses the community support is truly remarkable.

“My favorite thing about the state meet was how packed it was and how everyone is there to like cheer you on, and it was like a really fun experience to like get to be there for the first and with like all your coaches and teammates knowing that you like worked hard to be there.”

Popp finished 10th overall in the 100 Yard Backstroke (1:00.03) and was apart of the 14th placed 200 Yard Medley Relay team with Waukee Northwest. She will be doing club swimming in the off season to strive to decrease her time and get a higher rank at state next year with the help of her coaches.