Florence Lin’23, Mary Kate Prall’22, Claire Richardson’23. (Julia DeVore’22/Staff)

The Columbus Academy girls swimming team kicked off the week with a 103-56 victory over Bexley on Friday, January 8, before tying Granville 84-84 on Saturday, January 9. 

The girls started off the Bexley meet with a bang, as Rene Fleege’24 and juniors Alexandra Butnariu, Lauren Klinefelter, and Mary Kate Prall secured a first-place finish in both the 200 medley and 400 freestyle relays. Klinefelter then took gold in the 200 freestyle and 100 butterfly, while Prall won the 200 IM and 100 freestyle. 

Emma Yakam’22 secured another victory for the Vikes in the 100 breaststroke with a final time of 1:15.12, while Butnariu clocked in at 5:52.62 and finished first in the 500 free. 

Continuing the momentum, Ella Lowrie’24 nabbed a silver in the 100 backstroke, followed by junior Julia Devore who claimed fourth with a final time of 1:20.85. 

Butnariu brought it home with a gold in the 50 free, with Lowrie and Charlotte Baker’24 close behind at second and fourth place, respectively. 

To finish the week, the Vikes hosted Granville on Saturday, January 9.

The all junior squad of Butnariu, Klinefelter, Prall, and Yakam, secured a first place finish in the 200 medley relay, before nabbing second in the 400 freestyle relay. Klinefelter continued to dominate with a gold in the 100 backstroke, with Prall just 2.93 seconds behind. 

Fleege conquered in the 100 freestyle, securing a victory before taking silver in the 200 free. Lowrie also placed second in the 500 freestyle with a final time of 6:28.55, followed closely by Yakam in fourth place. 

The squad of Baker, DeVore, Fleege, and Lowrie wrapped up the meet with a second-place finish in the 200 free relay, clocking in at 1:54.20 to secure an 84-84 tie with Granville. 

The Vikes look to continue their winning streak when the team hosts Lincoln High School on Friday, January 15, and Grandview Heights on Saturday, January 16.