3 Ironmen to compete at IHSA Boys Swimming State Finals

Inkspot Staff

Feb 28, 2025

Wade Pyle returns to State after two record-setting performances last season. Photo Courtesy of: Community Athletics deptartment

Three members of the boys swim team will compete at this weekend’s IHSA State Swimming and Diving meet at Westmont’s FMC Natatorium after earning four first-place finishes at the Normal Community Sectional on Feb. 22.

The Ironmen placed third at their home Sectional, finishing behind champion Washington (284.5) and runner-up Normal West (215.5) with 183 points.

Junior Wade Pyle led Community with two individual victories, winning the 50-yard freestyle (21.21) and 100-yard freestyle (46.43). At last year’s State meet, Pyle set school records in the 100 and 200 freestyle, placing 15th and 13th, respectively, while earning two of Community’s three State medals.

Pyle will be joined at State by his younger brother, freshman Nolan Pyle, who qualified for the first time with a first-place finish in the 200-yard freestyle (1:46.99).

After qualifying for State last season in the 200-yard medley relay, Sam Grojean will compete this year as an individual.
Photo Courtesy of: Community Athletics deptartment

Junior Sam Grojean returns to State for the third consecutive season after securing a Sectional title in the 100-yard breaststroke with a time of 58.93.

Community narrowly missed sending two relay teams to State. The 200-yard medley relay team of Wade and Nolan Pyle, Grojean and Ethan Arndt posted a State-qualifying time but was disqualified due to a false start—a hesitation that slowed their opening split.

In the 200-yard freestyle relay, the same quartet finished second to Washington, just .25 behind the state qualifiers, with a 1:28.46 finish.

State prelims begin Friday at 3:30 p.m. The top eight finishers in each event will advance to Saturday’s finals, while swimmers placing ninth through 16th will compete in the consolation finals.

Results will be posted on IHSA.org.

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