Maddie E. (CA Flickr)
The girls swim team returned to action after a restful holiday break at Ohio University’s Turn It Gold meet on January 3 before hosting its first home meet of the new year against Bloom Carroll and Liberty Union on January 8 and Olentangy on January 10.
The girls traveled to Ohio University on Saturday, January 3, to the annual Turn It Gold meet. Hosted by the Turn It Gold organization, the meet serves as a fundraiser in support of its goal to achieve “athletic activism,” defined by its website as “the action of one, united together, to inspire many to end childhood cancer.” With 32 teams total and lower stakes compared to other championship meets, it was a fun and lively meet for friendly competition. Structured from traditional high school meets, Turn It Gold allowed swimmers to sign up for shorter events not available during the season, such as 50-yard races and the 100 individual medley. Academy placed 10th out of 32 teams, led by Maddie E., placing 3rd in the 50 free (25.50) and 50 breast (32.63), and Kayla R., placing 8th in the 50 back (30.61).
Academy hosted its first meet of 2026 against Bloom Carroll and Liberty Union on Thursday, January 8, and started its year off right with a tri-meet win (CA 84.7, LU 51.2, BC 28.1). Maddie won high-point of the meet, winning both the 100 free (55.55) and the 100 breast (1:12.55). Kayla followed, placing first in the 50 free (26.99 ) and 100 back (1:06.01), with Emily R. in 2nd at (1:12.57). Nousha A. won the 200 free (2:21.75), followed by Kate T. (2:56.29). Rhea placed 4th in the 50 free (31.50) and 3rd in the 100 (1:10.05). The girls also won three relays (200 free, 200 medley, and 400 free).
The team hosted Olentangy on Saturday, January 10, for an unusual matchup against a D-1 school, as the Braves had 30 girls on their roster compared to Academy’s 6. Despite the size disadvantage, the Vikings came out with some good placements. Kayla and Emily won the 500-free (5:44.31) and 100-back (1:06.01), respectively. Kayla placed 2nd in the 200-free (2:05.49), as did Maddie in the 200-IM (2:18.75) and the 100-fly (1:05.91), as well as Nousha in the 100-free (1:02.97) and 100=breast (1:28.63).
With six swimmers this year and 4 freshmen, compared to last year’s 12 total, our girls continue to battle a numbers game, proving a massive challenge against larger teams. Despite this challenge, the Vikings continue to find more ways to compete and will celebrate their two seniors, Maddie and Nousha, in a meet against Bishop Hartley on Thursday, January 15, and then travel to Canton on Saturday, January 17, for the annual Northeast Classic meet, featuring a mix of the fastest schools statewide.
