AMBOY – When Norah Shearer stretched out her arms to showcase her medals after the 2025 Illinois YMCA State Swimming Championship, she had very little room left.

Shearer, part of the DeKalb County Swim Team at the Kishwaukee Family YMCA finished the championships March 14-16 at Lake Central High School in St. John, Ind. with nine medals from each of the nine competitions she swam.

“I was very, very excited. I won state and I wasn’t expecting it,” said Shearer. “Swimming at the state meet was definitely one of my goals. For the 500-meter freestyle, it wasn’t expected for me to win. I thought maybe I could win the 50-meter freestyle. The 500 was a huge win. I surprised myself.”

Shearer, who was an eighth grader at Amboy Junior High School in March but is now a freshman at Amboy High School, won the 500 freestyle, placed second in the 100 freestyle, 50 freestyle, and was part of the 200 freestyle relay, third in the 200 medley relay, fourth in the 200 freestyle, seventh in the 200 IM and 400 freestyle relay (21-under) and 10th in the 100 backstroke.

The Top 10 in each race earned medals.

“I think I’ve improved every year. Swimming is my favorite sport,” said Shearer, who began swimming four years ago and joined the DeKalb County Swim Team three years ago. “Nutrition was definitely a big thing for me to help me be a better swimmer. I began watching what I was eating. I made sure I had protein, specifically red meats like steak and beef for strength and energy. My coaches (Kayleigh Kozlowski, Casey Beckley and Aviva Brenner) for my swimming team are very good. They know how to train us.

“I haven’t been swimming as long as some girls my age, but I love the atmosphere it gives. I love the competitiveness. I like being in the water. I’m kind of like a shark, fish, dolphin. I’m also very competitive.”

Shearer added her parents, Caleb and Whitney, as well as other friends and family were extremely happy and proud of her for her accomplishment.

The swimmer saw tears and shed her own.

“As soon as I got out of the pool, tears. I couldn’t help it,” said Shearer.

She also qualified for the SSDL National Swimming Championships March 20-23 in Indianapolis, Ind.