(Flickr)
The Columbus Academy swim and dive team traveled to Canton to compete in the 2025 OHSAA State Championship, where diving competed first on Wednesday, February 19, followed by swimming with prelims on Thursday, February 20, and finals on Friday, February 21.
Elle V. was Academy’s sole representative after claiming the Division II district title for the third year in a row. At states, Elle bested her 10th-place finish from last year, earning 368.75 points and placed 5th overall.
For swimming, on the boys side, the 200 medley relay (Justin L., William D., Andy L., and Mircea B.) placed seventh with a 1:37.84. The boys also placed fifth in the 200 freestyle relay (Ethan L., William, Mircea, and Andy) with a combined time of 1:27.45.
Individually, Andy claimed two podium finishes, finishing third in the 50 freestyle with a 21.12 and fourth in the 100 freestyle with a 46.65. William rounded out the boys finalists with a ninth-place finish in the 100 breaststroke, swimming a 58.43.
The girls found the most success in the 200 freestyle relay (Lillian B., Morgan S., Maddie E., and Olivia L.), clinching state runner-up with a time of 1:36.79. The same relay squad claimed fifth in the 400 freestyle relay with a 3:35.17.
Individually, Olivia L. broke her school record in the 50 freestyle she previously set at districts with a 23.88 in prelims, coming in fourth at finals with a time of 23.93. Maddie also placed 13th with a 24.89. Olivia also placed sixth in the 100 freestyle with a 52.66. Lillian came in 15th with a 1:00.21 in the 100 butterfly and 10th in the 200 individual medley, swimming a 2:09.54.
The Aquavikes closed out their 2024-25 season with a seventh-place finish for the boys and fifth for the girls. The team will lose numerous key contributors to its success at states next season, and as the seniors depart, the current underclassmen will look to build on this year’s success and continue the program’s momentum heading into next season. Congratulations to all the swimmers and divers on a fantastic season, and best of luck to the class of 2025!
