News Summary

Local swimming prodigy Pablo Pareja of Oak Park has verbally committed to Purdue University, set to join their swimming program in fall 2026. With a standout career already marked by impressive achievements, including a title as NISCA High School Swimming All-American and multiple top finishes at state championships, Pareja is poised to make a significant impact. His dedication and talent in the pool promise a bright future as he takes on collegiate swimming challenges ahead.

Exciting New Journey for Oak Park’s Backstroke Star

Oak Park, Illinois, is buzzing with excitement over the recent announcement that local swimming sensation Pablo Pareja has made a verbal commitment to Purdue University! This talented backstroke specialist will be joining the Boilermakers as part of their swimming program in the fall of 2026, and it’s safe to say that folks are looking forward to seeing him make waves at the collegiate level.

A Bright Swimming Career Ahead

Pareja is no stranger to success in the pool. Currently swimming for both FMC Aquatics and Oak Park and River Forest High School, he has already made a name for himself in competitive swimming. He earned the prestigious title of NISCA High School Swimming All-American in 2024 as a member of the boys’ 200 medley relay team. This is a testament to both his talent and dedication in the sport.

State Championships and Personal Bests

Last year, at the 2024 IHSA Boys State Championships, Pareja showcased his impressive skills by finishing 15th in the 100 back with a strong time of 50.95. He didn’t stop there—he also made it to the 100 fly, where he placed 16th with a prelims time of 49.99. Not to be overlooked, he led off for his relay team in the 50 back, contributing to an 11th-place finish in the 200 medley relay with an impressive split of 23.29. His 400 free relay team also put on a solid performance, finishing 13th, with Pareja holding down the third leg and posting a split of 47.29.

Rising to New Challenges

Fast forward to the 2025 NCSA Spring Championships, and Pareja did not disappoint. He became a finalist in both the 50 back (22.35) and 100 back (49.43), where he placed 9th and 21st, respectively. On top of that, he achieved a lifetime best in the 200 fly with an impressive time of 1:53.01.

In December of 2024, during the Illinois Senior Championships, Pareja continued to prove his prowess by finishing 2nd in five events, including the 50 back (22.65), 50 fly (22.61), 200 back (1:48.27), 100 back (50.18), and 200 IM (1:54.02). Not too shabby for a swimmer still growing his talent!

Long Course Events and Future Competitions

Pareja also tested his skills in long course events, where he placed 11th in the 200 fly at the Futures Championships, recording a time of 2:03.74, and 22nd in the 200 back with a time of 2:08.16. These competitions only highlight his tremendous potential as an elite swimmer.

Purdue’s Backstroke Group Gains a Star

Looking ahead, Purdue University is gearing up for a bright future in swimming, especially following a tough 2025 Men’s Big Ten Championships, where they finished 8th overall out of nine teams. As they seek to strengthen their backstroke group, Pareja’s addition will serve as a much-needed boost. With the fastest 100 back time last season held by senior Brady Samuels at 46.74, and the top 200 back time by freshman Blake Rowe at 1:42.38, Pareja still has plenty of time to improve his own times before joining the Boilermakers.

A Community Celebration

With all of this hard work and achievement, it’s clear that Oak Park has a lot to cheer for as Pablo Pareja prepares for his new chapter at Purdue!

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