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Iowa State University Athletics
Leach Announces Four Additions to 2026-27 Roster
07.28.2026 | Swimming and Diving
AMES, Iowa – Iowa State swimming and diving head coach Matt Leach has announced the addition of four swimmers to the 2026-27 roster, rounding out the squad for the upcoming season. The quartet includes junior transfer Beatriz "Bibi" Comini Romero (Belo Horizonte, Brazil) and freshmen Mariana Caldeira (Sao Paulo, Brazil), Claire Dobrydney (Aldie, Va.) and Jenna Polking (Elkhorn, Neb.).
Mariana Caldeira – Fr. – Breast/Free – Sao Paulo, Brazil
Cladeira is a Junior Brazil National Champion in the 100m breaststroke and medaled at the Junior Championships from 2022-2024. She earned Sao Paulo State titles in the 50 free, 100 free, 200 free, 100 breast and 200 breast. Mari is the daughter of Leandro and Luciana Caldeira and has a brother, Lucas. She plans to study nutritional science at Iowa State. Mari enjoys spending time with family, listening to music and going to the beach.
Beatriz "Bibi" Comini Romero – Jr. – Back/IM/Free – Belo Horizonte, Brazil (Arkansas-Little Rock)
Comini Romero comes to ISU following two seasons at University of Arkansas-Little Rock. While at Little Rock, she punched her ticket to the CSCAA National Invitational Championships in the 200 free and 50, 100 and 200 back. As a youth, Bibi made multiple finals and podium appearances at Brazilian Junior Nationals. Bibi is the daughter of Rogerio Romero and Patricia Comini and has one sister, Laura. She intends to study supply chain management at Iowa State.
Claire Dobrydney – Fr. – Freestyle – Aldie, Va.
Dobrydney two-time All-State and All-Conference swimmer from Paul VI Catholic High under head coach Matt Haupt. As a senior, she finished as the VISAA State Runner Up in the 100 and 200 free, her time of 1:50.26 good for All-American consideration in the 200 free. She also claimed WCAC Conference championships in both events. Claire also excels in the classroom, awarded with the Peter T. Menke Scholar-Athlete Award at PVI and claimed High Honors at St. Joseph High School (Indiana) her freshman, sophomore and junior years. She is the daughter of John and Kelly Dobrydney. Claire is the fifth of six children between the couple along with siblings John Jr., Joey, Chris, Jackie and Mary.
Jenna Polking – Fr. – Freestyle – Elkhorn, Neb.
Polking joins Iowa State as a four-year state qualifier from Elkhorn North High School under head coach Jay Thiltgen. She finished as a state medalist as a sophomore and junior before claiming a State Championship in the 200 free relay and runner-up finishes in the 50 free, 100 free and 400 free relay. Jenna also earned academic all-conference, academic All-America and 200 free relay All-America considerations. In 2026, she set school records in the 50 and 100 free, as well as 200 and 400 free relays. Jenna also competed as a cross country and track athlete, helping Elkhorn North to the 2024 Cross Country State Championship. She is a member of the National Honor Society, a two-time academic all-conference selection and a 2026 academic all-American. Jenna is the daughter of Ross and Kristin Polking and has three siblings, Caleb, Kaitlyn and Brynlee.
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