(Atlantic) A state champion swimmer for the Atlantic Nishna Valley Family YMCA Flying Sharks team has accomplished what no other youth in the program has done at the state and regional level.
Brody Frederiksen, now 12, started swimming at 7. His 500 freestyle time is lower than that of many high school competitors’. This year, Brody once again became a state YMCA champion in the 100 free, with additional top-five finishes in the 50 free (2nd) and 50 breast (4th). At the GISL state meet, he defended his 100 free title and placed second in multiple events. Moving on to regionals, Brody achieved a personal best of 5:56.92 in the 500 free, while also finishing 2nd in the 100 free, 3rd in the 50 free, and earning a top-ten finish in the 50 breaststroke.
Brody says he was inspired by his neighbor, Hunter Quist, who competed for the Atlantic High School swim team and has now committed to swim at Iowa Central Community College.
Frederiksen says he broke into the state scene in his second year. That year, he finished 9th and 6th in the 25-meter free and 25-meter backstroke and received praise from his coach. Frederiksen has already learned that hard work pays off.
Currently, Brody is taking some time off before attending a swimming camp in June with his 9-year-old sister, Addi, in Iowa City. Fredericksen says the goal is to keep working hard.
In 2025, Brody set records in the GISL in the 100 freestyle, 500 freestyle, 50 freestyle, and 200-yard freestyle. Keep an eye on this young athlete.
