Lora crowned YMCA Illinois State Swimming Champion 

[May 17, 2022]   

It’s hot and pool time is just around the corner. One local athlete who will most likely see a lot of time in the water this summer is 10-year-old Chester-East Lincoln student Paxton Lora. 

Lora is a decorated YMCA Illinois State Champion after competing this spring in various events held at the Illinois YMCA State Meet in St. John, Indiana. The event was held at Lake Central High School on March 12, 2022. 

Lora qualified in all of his events at the state meet, according to his mom, Danielle, but he was only allowed to swim in five individual events. 

His coach, Lauren Nesbitt, chose the following events in which he participated: 100 IM, 50 Free, 200 IM, 100 Free, and 50 Fly.  

The results are impressive. 

Lora’s 100 IM entry time was 1:16.24 and he won 1st place with a time of 1:12.69. 

His 50 Free entry time was 29.03 and he got 2nd place with a time of 28.11.  

His 200 IM entry time was 2:50.53 and he won 1st place with a time of 2:39.91.  

His 100 Free entry time was 1:06.94 and he got 4th place with a time of 1:05.41.  

His 50 Fly entry time was a 33.89 and he got 3rd place with a time of 32.53.  

In addition, these entry times were Lora’s fastest times from the season in those events.

This young up and coming athlete has been swimming on a swim team since he was five years old. 

Lora began swimming for the Aqua Lynx in Lincoln with Mike Block. Once Covid hit and the Aqua Lynx no longer existed, his parents moved him over to the Decatur YMCA where he swims for YDSC (YMCA Decatur Swim Club). 

Lora has been swimming with the YDSC Gators for two years now. He holds various records for the Gators including: 50 Fly (32.53), 50 Free (28.11), 100 Free (1:09.42), 100 IM (1:12.69) and 200 IM (2:39.91). 

He will be a sixth grader at Chester-East Lincoln in the fall and he enjoys both swimming and baseball.

Paxton’s proud parents are Ismael and Danielle Lora of Lincoln. 

Congratulations, Paxton! 

[Teena Lowery]