Sisters share bond, success in swimming pool
Sisters Charlotte and Gretchen Wilke are bonding in the swimming pool, finding fun—and a lot of success—as members of the Northeastern Swim Team, based in Decorah. (Photo submitted)
Charlotte Wilke qualified for the state tournament in 11 events, including nine individual events and two relays—more than double last year’s amount. She came home with multiple top-nine finishes and some notable times. (Photo submitted)
Gretchen Wilke competed in club swimming for the first time this season. She racked up many medals, including six at regionals. (Photo submitted)
By Audrey Posten | Times-Register
Sisters Charlotte and Gretchen Wilke are bonding in the swimming pool, finding fun—and a lot of success—as members of the Northeastern Swim Team, based in Decorah.
Charlotte, now 10, competed in her first club season last year. Eight-year-old Gretchen joined her this year, and the two make the trek from Monona to Decorah for practice two to three nights per week during the season.
“It looked like my sister had a lot of fun with her friends and I wanted the same feeling,” said Gretchen on why she wanted to get involved.
Summertime success with the Waukon Swim Team had also grown her confidence in the water.
“She wasn’t quite sure she wanted to swim, but joined the Waukon Swim Team and ended up being conference champ in the backstroke her first season,” said dad Jake Wilke.
That translated well to the club season, where Gretchen earned six medals at regionals—one of three sites in the state for 8 and under swimmers to show off their skills. That included first place in the 100 yard medley relay, fourth in the 25 yard breast and 100 yard IM, fifth in the 25 yard back and 25 yard free and sixth in the 25 yard fly.
“My favorite strokes are the breaststroke and butterfly,” said Gretchen.
She’s following in the footsteps of Charlotte, who, after qualifying for state individually in the 50 and 100 free and 50 back, as well as in two relays, in 2025, had high expectations heading into this season.
She conditioned more this time, Charlotte said, aided by participation in other sports like volleyball and basketball. New coaches also pushed her to reach her highest peak.
That work paid off, as Charlotte qualified for the state tournament in 11 events, including nine individual events and two relays—more than double last year’s amount.
She competed in Cedar Falls across three jam-packed days.
“That’s a lot of swimming, and she got into some longer distances this year too, so she had to keep bringing it over and over,” said mom Jessica Wilke. “She stayed calm and focused, and didn’t get upset or emotional. She focused on one race at a time.”
“It was a little nerve racking,” admitted Charlotte, “because you wouldn’t have a lot of time to recover before you had to swim again. I was just happy to be there, so I came in with low expectations, but I came back with medals.”
Charlotte competed in the 50, 100, 200 and 500 yard freestyle races, along with the 50 and 100 yard backstroke, 50 yard butterfly, 50 yard breaststroke and 100 yard individual. She joined teammates in the 200 yard medley and freestyle relays.
One notable placement and time came in the 50 free, where she was sixth in 30.69 seconds. Additionally, Charlotte took seventh place in the 200 and 500 free with respective times of 2:33.70 and 7:03.13, then ninth in the 100 free and 50 back with respective times of 1:08.83 and 36.25 seconds. The 200 free relay she was part of placed third with a time of 2:08.5.
“Some of her medals came while being in the second fastest heat, so she didn’t get to swim against the fastest kids,” noted Jake.
To put it into perspective, said Jessica, thousands of kids across the state compete in swimming, with only a select few advancing to state. “From there, like in the 50 free, there were 95 kids in that race and she got sixth.”
Swimmers are able to compare their times against others around the country as well, thanks to time standards established by USA Swimming.
“She got to the level of AA in her 50 free and was really close to that threshold in a couple of her other events. That standard means you’re in the top 8 percent for your age and gender in that event in the whole country, so that’s pretty cool,” Jessica said.
Added Charlotte: “Not a lot of people know how big a deal it is. I’m really proud. I think it was a big step up from last year. ”
Jake said it’s even more impressive because there are no classes in swimming. The Wilkes are competing against swimmers who attend 5A schools and have greater access to training facilities.
“They’re doing it with probably half the practice time these kids from Iowa City, Des Moines, Cedar Rapids have, who all have a pool within 10 minutes of their house. We travel 45 minutes one way two to three times a week and it’s their decision to go. It’s their decision to be at this level and work hard,” he continued. “There are not a lot of kids at their age level willing to do something like that.”
For Charlotte and Gretchen, it’s not just about swimming well, though. The two love the fun and positivity of swimming. They cheer on their teammates and one another.
Charlotte said it “feels good” to have her little sister following in her footsteps. “But I hope she doesn’t catch up to me too fast,” she joked.
