Metamora graduate Anna Peplowski ready to head to the Olympics

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. (WMBD/WYZZ) — Central Illinois will be represented in the Summer Olympics.

Germantown Hills native Anna Peplowski prepares to swim in Paris. The Indiana University senior-to-be was named to the U.S. Olympic swimming team Saturday night.

But she says it didn’t really hit her until she left the U.S. Olympic slopes in Indianapolis Monday morning and returned to her college home.

“On the way back after officially struggling with treatment and integration, it really hit me. I was driving home with one of my teammates (Mariah Denigan) who was also on the (Olympic) team. We both started crying together,” Peplowski said. “Everything just kind of sunk in and we started talking about what was going to happen and what’s next. So it was a very good moment to share together.

Peplowski, who was a three-time Big Ten champion last March, qualified for Team USA with a fifth-place finish in the 200 freestyle at the Olympic Trials last week. She is a candidate for a place in the 4×200 freestyle relay in Paris.

The former Metamora High School state champion says she’s already heard from many supporters in central Illinois.

“Just having all the support from home means a lot to me,” Peplowski said. “It just takes me back to my roots of being in Metamora, swimming during the high school season, for the (Bloomington Waves) summer team, everyone remembers me. It’s simply the best, it’s really great.

Last summer, the Hoosier All-American made the U.S. national team for the 2023 World Aquatics Championships in Japan, where she won a silver medal as part of the 4×200 relay team. The Paris Olympic Games will take place from July 26 to August 26. 11.