Girls swim sends four to IHSA State Championships after second place Sectional finish

Malinowski to compete in maximum four events for second straight year

Bryce Hickman, Carter Hull and Malachi McCool • Nov 10, 2023

Four members of the girls swimming and diving team compete at this weekend’s IHSA State competition in Westmont, following a second-place finish at Sectionals. After back-to-back Sectional Championships, the Iron finished 33 points behind Washington High School this season.

Five first-place finishes earned Kenna Malinowski (’25), Ava Johnson (’24) and Piper Lowder (’26) a trip back to the State championships at the FMC Natatorium, where Lyndsey Hackman (’25) will make her debut.

Friday marks Malinowski’s third consecutive State appearance in the 50- and 100-yard freestyle races.

The junior finished first in both events to qualify as an individual, winning the 50- free with a time of 23.91 and the 100- at 53.29.

Johnson, too, will compete as an individual at State, posting a winning 500-yard freestyle time of 5:20.69.

Last season, Johnson took second in the Sectional race (5:17.79), less than a second behind Community senior Nina Osborne, and narrowly missed a chance to compete against the State’s top swimmers.

Malinowski finished first in her four sectional races, and Johnson topped the podium three times, with each helping Community qualify for State in the 200- and 400- freestyle races.

Piper Lowder and Lyndsey Hackman join the upperclassmen at this season’s State competition in the relays.

In the 200-, the team touched the wall at 1:40.49.

Malinowski and Lowder swam on last year’s State 200- team, Malinowski’s third year in a row qualifying in the event.

In the 400-, the four posted a 3:41.32 finish, over a two-second improvement over last year’s State qualifying time.

Hackman was a new addition to the Sectional 400- team this season, as her three teammates return to State in the event.

Iron head coach Mrs. Heather Budak was named Swim Coach of the Year at the Normal Sectionals meet, earning the recognition for the second straight year.

The preliminary heats of the IHSA State Swimming and Diving begin Friday at 3:30 p.m.

Last season, Community’s swimmers did not finish among the top 12 competitors in prelims, failing to advance to the second day of the competition.

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About the Contributors

Bryce Hickman, Senior Staff Reporter

Bryce Hickman is a senior at Normal Community High School and a member of Key Club. Bryce Hickman is a senior staff reporter for the Inkspot. I like practicing Jiu Jitsu and Taekwondo. My favorite film is "Princess Mononoke."

Carter Hull, Staff Reporter

Carter Hull is a senior and a member of Key club. He is also a staff reporter for the Inkspot. My hidden talent is my exceptional Bop-It! ability. My favorite film is Evil Dead 2.

Malachi McCool, Staff Reporter

Malachi McCool is a senior at Normal Community High School and is involved in Music Technology club. This is his second year working with the Inkspot, and he is a staff reporter. A book that moved me was Neil Gaiman's "Norse Mythology." My favorite movie is "A Quiet Place Part II."