Fitter and Faster Swim Camps is the proud sponsor of SwimSwam’s College Recruiting Channel and all commitment news. For many, swimming in college is a lifelong dream that is pursued with dedication and determination. Fitter and Faster is proud to honor these athletes and those who supported them on their journey.
Nebraska high school state champion Jenna Polking has announced her commitment to swim for the Iowa State University beginning in the fall of 2026. She confirmed the news in an email to SwimSwam, writing:
Coach Leach has an incredible vision for the future of Cyclone swimming and turning it into a championship program. I’m excited to be part of that process. I also grew up as an Iowa State fan, so it’s a dream to compete for the university.
A senior at Elkhorn North High School in Nebraska, Polking has been a member of her school’s varsity swimming and diving team all four years. She currently trains year-round with Aquatic Club of Elkhorn, where she primarily specializes in sprint freestyle.
Polking most recently competed at the Nebraska School Activities Association (NSAA) High School State Championships this February, where she wrapped up her high school career on a high note by throwing down her current best times in her top events. Individually, she was runner-up in the 50 and 100 free in 23.41 and 50.81, while also helping Elkhorn secure gold in the 200 free relay (23.59 leadoff) and 400 free relay (51.44 leadoff), marking her first career podium finishes at the meet.
Polking has consistently improved her best times each season of her career, but she really elevated her game over the past 12 months. Entering the 2025-26 season, she owned PBs of 24.01/52.81 in the 50/100 free, meaning she has since dropped over a half second in the 50 free and a whopping two seconds in the 100.
Beyond the pool, Polking has been heavily involved across campus. She was a member of the cross country team that won a state championship and earned individual super state honors. On the track, she claimed a state medal as both a freshman and sophomore, including a state title as part of the 4×800 relay her freshman year. Outside of sports, she has been a four-year show choir participant, a National Honor Society member, and was named homecoming queen.
Top SCY Times:
- 50 Freestyle: 23.41
- 100 Freestyle: 50.81
A Division I program, Iowa competes in the Big 12 Conference, with the women’s team placing ninth out of ten teams at this past season’s conference championships. To earn a second swim at the meet, it took times of 23.12/50.55 in the 50/100 free, putting Polking just outside the cutoffs.
On the team itself, Polking is poised to rank first in the 100 free and second in the 50 free, and as the fastest incoming recruit in both events, she should make an immediate impact on the team’s sprint relays, which typically finish in the 8th–10th range at the Big 12 Championships. She will also have two years to train alongside the team’s top 50 freestyler, Grace Swoboda (23.13), who just missed scoring at conference with a 25th-place finish.
Polking joins fellow sprint freestylers Claire Dobryney and Hayden Bailey, , who also excels in fly, as well as Audrey Lindstrom (distance free), Asia Salvato (fly/back), Tessa Moore (back), and Scout McQueen (IM) in committing to the Cyclones’ class of 2030. Dobryney and Bailey bring similar free times of 23.9/51.3/1:50.2 and 23.5/51.1/1:52.3, respectively.
If you have a commitment to report, please send an email with a photo (landscape, or horizontal, looks best) and a quote to [email protected].
About the Fitter and Faster Swim Tour
Fitter & Faster Swim Camps feature the most innovative teaching platforms for competitive swimmers of all levels. Camps are produced year-round throughout the USA and Canada. All camps are led by elite swimmers and coaches. Visit fitterandfaster.com to find or request a swim camp near you.
FFT SOCIAL
Instagram – @fitterandfasterswimtour
Facebook – @fitterandfastertour
Twitter – @fitterandfaster
FFT is a SwimSwam partner.
