The Iron posted a powerful performance at the Big 12 Conference meet on Oct. 25, capturing first in eight of the 11 varsity events. Despite those podiums, Community finished second with 229 points, trailing Champaign Central, who claimed the team title with 270 points.

Central boasted a 21-point advantage over the Iron after the diving portion of the competition. The Maroons took third and sixth, while Community’s roster doesn’t feature a diver this season.

The Ironmen cut into that deficit with a strong start in the 200-yard medley relay, where the team of Piper Lowder, Alexis Plassman, Kenna Malinowski and Macy Hunziker took first place with a time of 1:54.47, just under two seconds ahead of second-place Champaign Central.

The relay set the tone for the Iron, as they would win the next three events, posting season-best times with each first-place finish.

Hunziker was a standout in the 200-yard freestyle, finishing with a winning time of 1:59.80. Central took second, .6 behind the freshman.

Lyndsey Hackman recorded her first victory of the meet in the 200-yard individual medley, clocking in at 2:19.74. Central took third and sixth in the event, with Plassman finishing in eighth (2:34.44).

Malinowski extended the streak with a 24.71 finish in the 50-yard freestyle. Lowder was right behind the standout senior, taking second (25.70).

After 10 events, Community had cut the Maroons’s lead to five points, trailing 105-100.

Champaign Central extended their advantage in the 100-butterfly with a three-four finish; the Iron’s Emily Hall took 10th with a season-best 1:14.43.  

Malinowski was back on the podium with a win in the 100- freestyle (56.46). Champaign Central continued to pull away from Community in the points tally with second and fourth-place finishes.

Hunziker celebrated a victory in the 500- freestyle, posting a high-school best performance of 5:20.30. Central took fourth and ninth in the event.

In the 200-yard freestyle relay, Community’s team of Hackman, Hall, Hunziker and Malinowski clinched another win (1:42.17), while Central took third.

Lowder added to the team’s tally with another first-place finish in the 100-yard backstroke, clocking in at 1:03.04. Central took third and seventh in the race. Hall added to the Iron’s team score with a 1:15.88 finish, good for 10th.

Central closed out the meet with back-to-back victories of their own.

The Maroons took the win in the 100-yard breaststroke. Community went four-five in the race, with Hackman recording a 1:15.22 finish and Plassman going 1:15.94.

In the 400- freestyle relay, Central podiumed (3:49.38) while the Iron squad of Berit Rice, Hall, Plassman and Hackman took fourth (4:11:18).

Despite Community’s impressive tally of individual wins being offset by Central’s diving and depth, the Iron seem primed for a strong postseason as they clocked a slew of season-bests in the Big 12 competition.

The Ironmen will head to Normal West on Nov. 9 to compete in sectionals, where the team took second last season.