Central Illinois fans cheer Anna Peplowski, US relay team on to silver medal

Posted on August 2, 2024
Germantown Grille hosted a watch party for the final. (Photo courtesy: Team USA/Facebook)

By WMBD

PEORIA – Anna Peplowski will bring silver back to central Illinois.

The Metamora High School grad helped Team USA take the silver medal in the women’s 4×200 relay at the 2024 Summer Olympics on Thursday. Peplowski is a senior at Indiana University.

She was the leadoff swimmer for the U.S. in the preliminary race on Thursday in Paris. She helped the Americans win that race and earn a spot in the final.

However, she was not chosen to be in that U.S. foursome that would swim for the gold as Team USA was resting three swimmers, including Katie Ledecky, who were slotted for the final.

Nonetheless, area fans cheered on Peplowski and Team USA in the medal race which was won by Australia. Germantown Grille, a restaurant in Peplowski’s hometown, hosted a watch party for the final.

“Everyone has had a part of the puzzle, but the big piece of it is her family and who Anna is as a person,” said Metamora High School swim coach Shane Morrison, who coached Peplowski. “She’s not only a great competitor and swimmer but just swimmer and person.”

China took the bronze medal.

WMBD News can be reached at [email protected].

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