Charlotte Baker’24, Alexandra Butnariu’22, Mary Kate Prall’22. (Julia DeVore’22/Staff).
Following two victories the previous week, the Columbus Academy girls swimming team looked to continue its winning streak with two big meets on Friday, January 15, and Saturday, January 16.
The Aquavikes kicked off the week with an intense meet against Gahanna Lincoln High School. The Vikings fought hard but ultimately fell to the Golden Lions 58-111. The all junior squad of Alexandra Butnariu, Lauren Klinefelter, Mary Kate Prall, and Emma Yakam started off with a bang, securing silver in the 200 medley relay. Butnariu followed in the 200 free, finishing second with a final time of 2:12.62. Yakam continued the trend with another second-place finish in the 200 IM, clocking in at 2:30.81. Julia DeVore’22 followed close behind, nabbing fourth with a time of 2:45.85.
Klinefelter conquered in the 100 butterfly, securing the Vikings’ first victory before taking another gold in the 100 backstroke. Yakam crushed her competitors with a first-place finish in the 100 breaststroke, with freshmen Rene Fleege and Charlotte Baker at third and fifth, respectively.
To finish the meet, Butnariu, Fleege, Klinefelter, and Prall took home the bronze in the 400 freestyle relay, clocking in at 4:02.40.
After the tough loss, the Vikes bounced back with a victory against their Grandview Heights and Liberty Union opponents, finishing with a total of 87 points.
Butnariu, Klinefelter, Prall, and Yakam dominated in the 200 medley relay, securing first with a time of 2:00.07.
Ella Lowrie’24 followed with a second-place finish in the 200 free at a time of 2:14.63, with Fleege just 2.94 seconds behind.
Prall steamrolled her opponents and netted gold in the 200 IM, before placing first in the 100 backstroke.
Klinefelter nabbed second in both the 50 and the 100 freestyles, while Yakam brought it home with a gold in the 100 breaststroke.
The Aquavikes will host Bishop Hartley and Wellington on Tuesday, January 19, before traveling to Meeks Aquatic and Recreation Center to face Hayes High School on Friday, January 22. The Vikings will finish the week with a home meet on Saturday, January 23, against Pickerington North.
