Senior Malcolm Klingbeil surveys the field. (Katie Rankin’22/Media)

Following a 2-2 start to the season, the CA boys lacrosse team has shifted into gear, as the Vikings earned blowout victories over Bexley, Wellington, and Big Walnut.

Academy traveled to Bexley on Monday, April 8, and blew the doors off of the Lions, 20-5. The Vikes blitzed their archrival from the jump, as CA raced out to a commanding lead after the first quarter. The offensive fireworks continued for the Vikings in the second period, and they took a 15-3 advantage into the break.

With the game in hand, Academy’s reserves got extended playing time after the intermission and closed out the win. Senior David Barren led the Vikes with 4 goals, and classmate Malcolm Klingbeil, junior Andrew Swartz, and freshman Drake Bellisari all logged hat tricks. Junior Charlie Yaw and freshman Zach White had two goals apiece, and seniors Keenan Bellisari and Gunnar Geiger, along with freshman Jake Carlin, each added a score of their own.

CA then hosted Wellington on Thursday, April 11, and hammered the Jaguars, 21-3. The Vikings shared the wealth offensively, as eleven different players got into the scoring column. Senior defenseman Dalyn DeCree, junior Blake Chiovaro, and sophomore Vassar Barney all netted their first career goal in the victory.

Academy stayed home for a matchup with Big Walnut on Saturday, April 13, and ripped the Golden Eagles, 19-6. Barren delivered a monster performance, outscoring Big Walnut by himself. He finished with 8 goals, and continues to cement his place among the best players in program history. It was the Vikes’ fourth consecutive double-digit win, and CA seems to be hitting its stride as the midway point approaches.

The Vikings will look to stay hot, as they travel to Licking Valley on Tuesday, April 16 and host Westerville Central on Thursday, April 18, before hitting the road to clash with Olentangy Berlin on Saturday, April 20.