Charlie Belford’22 sprints a lap of backstroke. (Andrew Barren’22/Media editor)

The Columbus Academy boys swimming team hosted Bishop Watterson for its last regular season meet on Tuesday, January 21. 

The AquaVikes kicked off the meet with a victory in the 200 medley relay, before sophomore Cyrus Richardson secured a first-place finish in the 200 free. Senior James Cao took the gold in the 200 IM, followed by junior Rowan Hennessy and freshman Alek Balaloski claiming second and third, respectively.

Freshman Gavin Lewis clenched the 100 back and 100 fly titles, as Cao, Hennessy, Lewis, and Luke Boltz’23 finished off the meet with a win in the 400 free relay. 

The Vikes entered the postseason as the team dominated the MSL championship on Saturday, January 25. The Vikes took the gold with a total of 238 points, beating second-place competitor Bexley by 37.

Academy raced to a first-place finish in the 200 medley relay, finishing with a total time of 1:48.00. Lewis surged to first place in the 100 free, followed by Boltz securing second place in the 500 free. 

The 200 free relay, swum by Balaloski, Boltz, Richardson, and Cyrus Hannallah’22, took the silver, while Cao swept the 100 back with a first-place. 

Boltz, Hennessy, Lewis, and Cao rounded out the championship with a victory in the 400 free relay, securing the MSL title. 

The varsity team has the upcoming week off, but the JV team will travel to the CSG natatorium on Saturday, February 1, for the JV Championships.