Midway through the 2024 girls swim season, the team has shown consistent improvement as they head into Intercity, the Big 12 Conference meet and the post-season.

Last year’s IHSA State qualifiers–Kenna Malinowski, Lyndsey Hackman and Piper Lowder–have picked up where they left off, posting standout performances, with Alexis Plassman and freshman Macy Hunziker making significant contributions this season.

Malinowski and Lowder return as key figures for the Ironmen this season, consistently leading Community to point-scoring finishes in individual events and relays.

Malinowski looks poised to make her return to State for the fourth consecutive season, after swimming in the maximum four events the last three years.

It took seven meets for Malinowski to finish worse than first, recording podium-topping finishes in all her races before Sept. 21’s Iron Invite.

That meet served as a preview of the level of competition the team will face come the post-season, as Community hosted teams from the Chicago suburbs like Sandburg and Lincoln-way and downstate Illinois in Edwardsville.

The competition brought out some of the Iron’s best times of the season, as Malinowski recorded a second-place finish in the 50-yard freestyle. The senior posted a time of 24.78, just 0.4 seconds off the State qualifying standard of 24.38​, won the 100- freestyle and took second in the 200- medley and 400- free relays.

Malinowski’s experience will be vital as the team begins to tapper, looking to close the gaps in these events over the second half of the season.

Lowder has demonstrated her consistency across multiple strokes this season. The junior also looks primed to continue improving over the back half of the season on her way to a return trip to the State meet.

Lowder took third in the 50- freestyle at the Iron Invite, finishing behind Malinowski with a 25.3 finish. The junior added a fourth-place finish in the 100- backstroke (1:02.2) and swam legs in the Iron’s second-place relays.

The team’s relay success comes courtesy of the performances of seniors Lyndsey Hackman and Alexis Plassman and freshman breakout Macy Hunziker.

Hackman has been a crucial factor in the Ironmen’s success this season, tallying points in the individual medley, swimming a notable 2:22.24 at the Raider Invite​ on Sept. 28, and in the medley and freestyle relays.

With the Iron roster boasting just 11 swimmers–and no divers–Hackman’s endurance has been on display this season. In addition to her role on the 400- freestyle relay team and medley races, she’s been tasked with swimming the 500- freestyle for the Iron.

Plassman’s experience and steady performances in middle-distance races have given the Ironmen much-needed depth and reliability as they aim for State qualifications. Her specialty stroke skills has led to consistent performances in the 200 IM and breaststroke. The senior also plays a critical role in relays, swimming strong legs in both the medley and 200- free.

Hunziker, one of two freshmen on the team, not only puts up points in individual events like the 100- backstroke, earning fourth at the Iron Invite, but consistently rounds out the Iron’s 400- free relay team.

While the Iron’s limited roster has played a factor in the Iron’s team’s finishes this season, the team is positioned for a strong finish, which could see several Community swimmers make the State cut.