Decorah Swimming Makes Waves at Wahawk Invite, Rises to Challenge in Double Dual

If no one funds local news, your community is just rumors. Help Decorah News bring facts home. WATERLOO & CEDAR FALLS, Iowa — The Decorah girls swim team made a splash at the 2025 Wahawk Swimming and Diving Invite on Sept. 13, finishing just second in the team standings behind host Waterloo. While every member of the team contributed, a few races stood out as highlights in what Coach Allie Schultz called a "high-level" showing from her athletes. The meet opened with an early statement from Decorah's varsity 200-yard medley relay team. Isabella Sailor, Karly Alstad, Payge Webb, and Elizabeth Bucksa combined for a first-place finish in 1:58.49, holding off Grinnell and Waterloo. Later in the meet, the Vikings' 400-yard freestyle relay A team—Jenna Schissel, Isabella Sailor, Payge Webb, and Elizabeth Bucksa—produced one of the meet's most exciting moments. Touching first in 3:56.13, they broke the previous meet record set in 2016. "Today, this team of incredible athletes competed at a very high level in Waterloo," Schultz said. "One highlight of the meet was our 400 freestyle relay, which broke the previous meet record. It was an outstanding accomplishment and a reflection of the team's hard work and dedication. We came out second today, and it took all the girls on the team to accomplish this. Could not be more proud of how this team showed up today." Individual performances were equally impressive. Junior Elizabeth Bucksa captured first in the 50-yard freestyle (25.98) and the 500-yard freestyle (5:36.23), continuing her strong season. Sophomore Jenna Schissel earned first in the 200-yard IM (2:26.39) and added a second-place finish in the 100-yard freestyle (59.63). Freshman Payge Webb highlighted her versatility, winning the 100-yard butterfly (1:04.57) and placing second in the 200-yard freestyle (2:10.39). In the 100-yard breaststroke, senior Karly Alstad led the Vikings, with sophomore Naomi Kutz and freshman Sophia Gardner also scoring points. Decorah's strong showing is part of a legacy of talented swimmers, including former standout Emma Bachelder, who still holds the school records in the 100- and 500-yard freestyle. By the end of the meet, Decorah had racked up 437 points, finishing ahead of Grinnell (397) and Spencer (381). While this recap focuses on the highlights, every member of the team contributed to a performance that leaves Coach Schultz and Vikings fans eager for the rest of the season. Swim Team Competes in Double Dual at Cedar Falls Three days later, on September 16, it was back in the pool for the Decorah High School girls' swim team, traveling to Cedar Falls for a double dual meet against Dubuque Hempstead and Cedar Falls. In a double dual, three teams compete in the same pool simultaneously, with each race counting as two separate scoring matchups. In the final scores, Decorah fell to both opponents, but was not without its victories Decorah's relay teams were once again key contributors, helping keep the matchupsclose. The 200-yard medley relay team of Isabella Sailor, Karly Alstad, Payge Webb, and Jenna Schissel finished second with a time of 2:00.41. In the 400-yard freestyle relay, Decorah's A team — Elizabeth Bucksa, Sailor, Webb, and Schissel — posted a 4:00.56 finish, placing fourth overall. Individually, Karly Alstad finished fourth in the 200-yard individual medley (2:33.97), Jenna Schissel touched second in the 100-yard breaststroke (1:16.34), and Payge Webb posted strong times in both the 50- and 100-yard freestyle events. While Decorah did not take first in either head-to-head matchup, the meet provided valuable experience for the swimmers as the season progresses. Never a dull moment! Subscribe to the free DecorahNews.com newsletter and stay one step ahead with local news and information you just can't get anywhere else.