By Murray Gleffe
Correspondent

ASHWAUBENON — Ashwaubenon senior swimmer Hallory Domnick won the state championship in the WIAA Division 2 500-yard freestyle last season.

Despite Domnick’s recruiting visits taking a hit because the school district moved all its fall sports – including swimming – to the spring because of COVID-19, she signed her National Letter of Intent Nov. 13 to compete for the University of Northern Iowa (UNI), a Division I school in Cedar Falls.

“I chose UNI because it felt like home to me,” said Domnick. “The community shows up on game day to support the athletes. It was a great fit for me after meeting with the coaches and swimmers.”

At state in 2019, the Jaguars qualified in seven events and finished with 141.5 points, good enough for third place.

“I want to thank all the coaches,” said an emotional Domnick. “I’ve been fortunate to have great athletes around me the last three years to push me and be the best I can be. When I finished in a certain place in a race, I always wanted to beat that one by a few seconds.”

Domnick’s parents, Amy and Ray, have been staples in the Ashwaubenon community.

Her mother has been scoring/announcing every swim meet at the Ashwaubenon Community Pool the past few years, and her father is an assistant tennis coach for the Jaguars.

“It’s fun and enjoyable to win,” Domnick said. “However, when things don’t go your way, it’s how you push out of situations from the pool that makes you better as a person. Last year, I was devastated when I injured my shoulder and thought my career might be over. The trainers were amazing in my rehab process. Also, my parents have always had my back and have pushed me in a good way to follow my dreams.”

UNI is coming off a 9-5 season a year ago.

The Panthers started 0-3, won nine in a row and then finished with two losses.

UNI will lose five seniors after this season.

“It will be scary at first,” Domnick said about her first year at UNI. “Once I get in the pool, I know my teammates and coaches will be there to support me and help me reach my goals. The resources at a Division I school are amazing.”

Before going off to Cedar Falls, Domnick said she hopes to have one more good run at Ashwaubenon when practice starts next February.

2019 highlights

Fox River Classic Conference first-team all-conference: 500-yard freestyle, 200 freestyle, 400-freestyle relay and 200 medley relay.

Sectional champion: 100 butterfly, 500 freestyle, 200 medley relay and 400-freestyle relay.

State: 500 freestyle (first), 100 butterfly (second), 400-freestyle relay (second) and 200 medley relay (fourth).

Team captain.

School and pool records in five events.