As hundreds of whistling fans cheered from the stands at OSU’s natatorium on Friday, February 17, the Academy Aqua-Vikes made a lasting impression on their district competitors. With six state qualifiers (four individual races and two relays), the boys are headed to a smashing finale to their season, swimming today, February 23, and tomorrow in Canton at the C.T. Branin Natatorium.
Nine swimmers went to the districts and competed in eleven races, placing third overall. Co-captain Conrad Wuorinen’12 placed first and set a meet record in the 200 free, with a time of 1: 42.89 and finished second and qualified for states in the 100 fly, with a time of 51.62 seconds. Co-captain William Westwater’12 swam to a second place finish in both the 50 free, with a time of 21.74 seconds, and the 100 back, with a time of 53.55. Two Viking relays also finished as state qualifiers. The 200 free relay (C. Wuorinen, Mitchell Dreisbach14, Alec Wuorinen13, and Westwater) swam a 1:30.91 and finished second. The 400 free relay (C. Wuorinen. Andi Li’13, Matt Turney’12, and Westwater) also placed second with a time of 3:20.66.
With huge individual accomplishments, including a meet record, the Vikes look forward to making a splash at states. Westwater says, “I am very happy with our team’s performance. I never thought we could have sent all those people to districts. The fact that we have 2 relays that could make it to finals at states blows me away. I am extremely excited about states and am hoping to get up on that podium in the 100 backstroke and 50 free this year.”
C. Wuorinen says, “During the sectional meet and the MSL meet, some underclassmen really stepped up. I thought that only a couple people would qualify for districts, but we actually had 9 out of 11 boys qualify. Now we’re sending six boys to the state meet!”
Coach Craig Yakscoe says, “The meet was very fun and exciting to be a part of.” If the Columbus Academy Aqua-Vikes keep up their strong work, they’re sure to give the competition a run for their money at States.
Written by Sandya Ramaswamy’12. Photos by Elliot Nick’14.
