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Mannon Stern, a three-time Illinois high school boys’ sectionals qualifier, has announced his commitment to swim for Carroll University in Wisconsin beginning in the fall of 2025.
“The first time I came to Carroll, I was expecting an option for College and nothing more. I was wrong. Carroll felt like it could be home with everyone around me acting as a new family. I’m grateful for the opportunity to swim at the college level and excited to join such a welcoming team.”
Stern recently graduated from Boylan Catholic High School, where he was a member of the varsity swimming and diving team all four years. He currently trains year-round with McGuire Swim Club, where he primarily specializes in freestyle and backstroke.
Stern originally grew up playing soccer, and 9th grade was his first year swimming competitively.
At the 2024 MW District Championship, Stern turned in a series of top personal performances. He placed 14th in the 100 fly in 1:10.33, 21st in the 100 free in 58.79 and 22nd in the 50 free in 27.41, setting new lifetime bests in all three races. He also finished 12th in the 100 back in 1:05.67 and 14th in the 200 free in 2:11.02.
Stern qualified for the IHSA (Illinois High School Association) Boys Sectional championship three years in a row. His highest-placing performance came in February of this past season, when he turned in a 10th-place finish in the 100 back (1:07.41). The year prior, Stern finished 12th in both the 500 free (5:44.51) and the 100 back (1:08.16).
Best Times SCY
- 50 free – 26.93
- 100 free – 58.79
- 200 free – 2:10.12
- 100 back – 1:05.28
A Division III program, Carroll competes in the College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW), with the men’s team placing 4th out of seven teams at the 2025 CCIW Championships. To make it back for finals, it took times of 23.46/50.84/2:00.02 in the 50/100/200 free and 1:03.50 in the 100 back, putting Stern outside the cutoff in each of his top events.
On the team itself, Stern is poised to rank 5th in the 100 back, 6th in the 100 free, 7th in the 200 free and 8th in the 50 free, although that does not account for the other incoming freshmen.
Outside of the pool, Stern also played high school soccer in his freshman and sophomore years and is a member of the National Honor Society.
The only other confirmed recruit set to join Stern at Carroll this fall is Paden Moore, who specializes in free and fly and should make for a strong training partner over the next four years.
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