Normal Community’s Grojean, Normal U-High’s Hoffman win CSM Winter Athletes of the Week

Stars from Normal swept Clutch Sports Media Winter Athlete of the Week awards for the week of Jan. 26- Feb. 1 and gave their teams momentum ahead of the postseason. 

Normal Community’s Sam Grojean was a key piece to the Ironmen’s swim team winning the Intercity title and setting a new school record while Normal U-High’s Haylie Hoffman lifted the Pioneers to two wins amidst a late-season hot streak.

Read more about our winners’ standout performances and get to know them in Q and A’s below:

Grojean won CSM Boys Athlete of the Week after receiving 87 percent of the votes in the boys poll. His efforts helped Normal Community win the Bloomington/Normal Intercity boys swimming and diving title on Jan. 27 by being part of a second-place and three first-place finishes. The Youngstown State commit won the 100 breastroke with a time of 1:01.10, beating out Normal West’s Pierson Odlund by just over two seconds, and finished second in the 100 freestyle in 50.80. Grojean also swam key legs on the Ironmen’s winning 200 medley relay (1:36.63) and 200 freestyle relay (1:27.47). The 200 free relay team set a school record with their time.

Get to know Grojean in a Q and A here:

What’s been your favorite memory of your high school career so far? 

“My favorite memory was my junior year 100 breaststroke at nationals.”

If you had to be stranded on an island with a teammate, who would it be and why?

“I would want to be stranded with Layne Wills because we would die laughing.”

Favorite music artist?

“Drake.”

Favorite food?

“A juicy cheeseburger.”

Do you have any pregame routines/rituals?

“I like to pray, then splash my face with water.”

What’s one thing that’s on your bucket list?

“I want to go in a shark cage.”

Who’s your role model and why?

“I would say my parents are my role model because they have shown me love my whole life and that’s something I admire.”

Hoffman won CSM Girls Athlete of the Week after receiving 56 percent of the votes in the girls poll. She came through in a big-time moment in a Central State Eight contest against Lincoln on Jan. 30 by sinking a go-ahead three-pointer with seven seconds left, which gave the Pioneers a 42-40 win and their sixth conference victory of the season. On Jan. 31, she put up 17 points that helped Normal U-High pick up a 66-43 win over Taylorville. Recently, she added 14 points in a 62-37 win over Fieldcrest on Feb. 9, which was the Pioneers’ sixth win in their last seven games. 

Get to know Hoffman in a Q and A here:

What’s been your favorite memory of your high school career so far? 

“Having the opportunity to play varsity as a freshman with a coaching staff that helps to develop me each day and the great teammates that I get to play with along the way.”

If you had to be stranded on an island with a teammate, who would it be and why?

“Evelyn Seifert. We have been friends and teammates since the 2nd grade.”

Favorite music artist?

“Colton Dixon.”

Favorite food?

“Grilled chicken.”

Do you have any pregame routines/rituals?

“Yes, before every game I go and see my grandma, grandpa, and family in the stands and then I write a Bible verse on my finger and pray.”

What’s one thing that’s on your bucket list?

“To play college basketball.”

Who’s your role model and why?

“God and my family. God because I try to walk by faith on and off the court. Family because they are my greatest supporters.”