This web page was created programmatically, to learn the article in its authentic location you’ll be able to go to the hyperlink bellow:
https://www.dispatch.com/story/sports/high-school/swimming-diving/2026/02/27/ohio-high-school-swimming-ohsaa-state-championships-columbus-desales/88408968007/
and if you wish to take away this text from our website please contact us
CANTON – Wearing a customized hockey jersey designed by his mom, one along with his college crest on the entrance and 14 stars between the chest and each sleeves, DeSales senior Luke DeFrancisco stood atop the rostrum Feb. 27 as one of many stars of the Division II state swimming meet.
After profitable his first state championships in his last meet, taking the 100-yard breaststroke and 200 particular person medley in comparatively comfy vogue, DeFrancisco laughingly stated there was no particular significance to the variety of stars.
“Those are just filling out space, I think,” he stated.
DeFrancisco carved out his personal outstanding house at Branin Natatorium, dropping nicely over a second to take the 200 IM in 1:48.77 – 2.54 seconds forward of runner-up Thomas Lathrop from Ottawa Hills – earlier than taking the ultimate particular person occasion of the night time in 56.36, a snug 1.23-second victory over Beachwood’s Derek Fan.
DeFrancisco was third within the 200 IM final 12 months, when like this 12 months he was the highest seed getting into state, and fourth in 2024. He was 100 breast runner-up a 12 months in the past and earned the highest seed in that occasion popping out of district.
“[This meet] last year was pretty heartbreaking,” DeFrancisco stated. “I went into state seeded first, into the finals seeded first, and I didn’t win. The big thing [this year] was capitalizing. I wanted to get some vengeance in the 200 IM. I am really happy with how the meet went.”
DeFrancisco stated the breaststroke was maybe his weakest occasion midway by means of highschool.
“My best stroke is always changing with all the IM training,” he stated. “Sophomore year, my breaststroke was really lacking and it started to come along last year as I worked on it more.”
Wellington’s Mahaffey wins 100 again title
It speaks to the excessive normal to which Wellington junior Jack Mahaffey holds himself that minutes after profitable the 100 backstroke, nonetheless out of breath even after receiving his medal, that he already was trying ahead to analyzing his efficiency.
Mahaffey’s profitable time of 48.38 was 0.16 forward of Gates Mills Hawken’s Everett Losch and 0.1 off the state file – a time he exceeded in December on the Speedo Winter Junior Championships in Indianapolis, the place he swam a 48.23.
Mahaffey’s championship is the primary swimming title at Wellington and solely the second for the swimming and diving program. George Callanan gained Division II boys diving in 2020.
“A slight add all-time, but for this pool, I have to be happy with a state title,” stated Mahaffey, who additionally was seventh within the 50 free (21.21). “I’m thrilled but even without seeing the video, I know there are things to work on. I can see improvement.
“The last 25 [yards] were really difficult, but winning this means a lot. I am behind a ton of really fast guys at Wellington [historically] and this is a fast race every year. I am really happy.”
Led by senior Nolan Schneider’s podium finishes within the 200 freestyle (fourth, 1:42.5) and 100 free (seventh, 46.77), Granville completed ninth (82) and was central Ohio’s prime crew.
Hunting Valley University School (216) gained its fifth consecutive championship, edging out Ontario (204).
Bexley leads central Ohio ladies groups
Five top-four finishes, together with a second within the 50 free (23.21) and third within the 100 butterfly (55.83) for sophomore Katie Drummond, led Bexley to 3rd place for the second 12 months in a row.
Drummond was defending champion within the 50 free however got here up 0.26 of a second wanting Bryan’s Nora Kunsman.
She additionally helped the younger 200 medley relay to second place (1:45.67) with classmates Sophie Dankof and Vivi Hoy and freshman Genevieve Bennett and was on the third-place 400 free relay (3:35.65).
“I tried not to put a lot of pressure on myself,” Drummond stated of a championship repeat. “I just tried to be present and think of everything I have done to work up to this point.”
Dankof was fourth within the 100 again (57.92).
Shaker Heights Hathaway Brown (375) gained its fourth straight title. Hawken was second (165), however shedding solely two seniors in Charlotte Holzhall and Hadley Langolf, Bexley seems poised to remain among the many state’s elite.
“We’ll take [third] all day every day,” coach Sandy Sliwowski stated. “They’re very competitive. They like to push each other to the next best thing. I hope that trend continues.”
Jonathan Alder senior Lily Schneider completed second (1:02.96) within the 100 breast – solely 0.27 behind three-time winner and Duke signee Reese Reilly of St. Bernard Roger Bacon – and eighth within the 200 free (1:57.38).
“You can tell [how close the race is] because when you’re pushing off the wall, you can see them coming up on you and know you just have to go,” stated Schneider, a Southern Indiana signee. “Definitely at the turns you can tell and all through the underwaters. You can see in your peripheral vision how close everyone is to you. It can get scary.”
Hartley’s Galbreath earns Paralympic runner-up finishes
Hartley freshman Charlotte Galbreath completed second in each para occasions, the 50 free (35.09) and 100 again (1:27.93).
Galbreath added half a second from her 50 free qualifying time however dropped a tenth within the 100 again.
“At the beginning of the season I was around a 1:32, then to 1:30 and down to a 1:28 tonight,” Galbreath stated. “I like backstroke more, but the 50 free is easier for stamina [purposes]. I get really tired in the 100 back. If there was a 50 back, I’d do that instead of the 50 free.”
Other central Ohio swimmers who reached OHSAA Division II state podium (top-eight end)
BOYS
- 200 medley relay: Columbus Academy (eighth, 1:38.76)
- 200 free relay: Granville (sixth, 1:28.11)
- 100 breaststroke: William Duan, Academy (seventh, 59.14)
- 400 free relay: Granville (fifth, 3:14.09)
GIRLS
- Paralympic 50 free: Chloe Smith, Big Walnut (fourth, 59.88); Aubrey Hurt, Westerville Central (seventh, 1:25.18)
- 50 free: Maddie Esposito, Academy (sixth, 23.21)
- 100 free: Maddie Esposito, Academy (seventh, 52.71)
- Paralympic 100 backstroke: Smith (third, 2:13.45); Hurt (seventh, 2:53.96)
(This story has been up to date so as to add a photograph gallery.)
High college sports activities reporter Dave Purpura might be reached at [email protected] and at @dp_dispatch on X.
This web page was created programmatically, to learn the article in its authentic location you’ll be able to go to the hyperlink bellow:
https://www.dispatch.com/story/sports/high-school/swimming-diving/2026/02/27/ohio-high-school-swimming-ohsaa-state-championships-columbus-desales/88408968007/
and if you wish to take away this text from our website please contact us
