Swimming: Jacob Gramer, record-setting DeKalb-Sycamore co-op heading to state

Two state berths and two times that put him squarely in contention for a medal – not bad for a sophomore in his first swimming postseason.

Jacob Gramer and his Byron Sectional champion DeKalb-Sycamore co-op teammates head to the state championship beginning Friday in Westmont. The Top 12 in each event earn a medal and a spot in Saturday’s finals.

Gramer was the sectional champion in the 50-yard freestyle and also qualified in the 100 free. Senior Jared VanderSchee earned a solo qualification in the 50 free, and the 200 free relay of VanderSchee, Gramer, Noah Johnson and Max Palacios won the sectional and qualified.

With no state championship last year due to restrictions put in place because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Gramer didn’t get a chance to compete for a state title. That changes this year.

“It feels pretty good only being a sophomore and being seeded this well,” Gramer said. “I know I still have two more years left after this. It’s just a great opportunity.”

Gramer’s time of 46.61 seconds has him seeded ninth in the 100 freestyle. He’s seeded seventh in the 50 free with a 21.22, within half a second of top-seeded Jacob Drozd of Lake Park (20.85).

Gramer already holds the school record in both events.

“We’re pretty excited,” DeKalb-Sycamore co-op coach Melanie Chambers said. “The boys have had some great records throughout the season. Jacob has broken team records in the 500 and 100 free. And I still think there is more in him. It’s exciting he has those records as just a sophomore. And as a relay the boys look to take down the team record.”

The relay team has set a couple pool records, but has not cracked 1:27.2, the school record. The swimmers are seeded at 1:27.29.

“We’re just hoping to drop some more times,” Chambers said. “The best thing we can do is to drop times. Making it to the finals is great, but to get there we’re going to have to drop some more times.”