The Bellefontaine Chieftain swim team turned in a strong performance Saturday at the 2025 Northwest Ohio Classic, competing at Bowling Green State University and in Fremont against more than 600 athletes from across the region.
The meet provided a big stage for many Chieftain swimmers, and the team rose to the challenge with numerous personal-best performances throughout the day.
Sophomore Brooklyne Kuntz led the way, qualifying for the A finals in two events. Kuntz finished eighth in the 100-yard butterfly and posted an impressive fourth-place finish in the 200 individual medley, placing her among the top eight competitors in the combined meet. Her times were significantly faster than those recorded at the same point last season.
Several Bellefontaine swimmers recorded notable time drops, including:
Grady Feasel (100 free), Kaeleigh Flora (100 free), Dalton Fraizer (100 free), Oliver Grandstaff (100 breast), Ava Kunze (100 free), Chloe O’Chocke (100 breast), and Maddie Ullom (100 back).
Coaches praised the team’s effort and mindset, noting that many swimmers were competing in a meet of this size and venue for the first time.
“It was fun watching our swimmers step up and compete on such a large stage,” the coaching staff said. “We’re impressed with the team’s continuous improvement and positive attitudes throughout the day.”
The Benjamin Logan swim team also posted strong results at the Northwest Ohio Classic, racing against highly competitive fields at BGSU and in Fremont.
In preliminary action, Fiona Sweeney placed fifth in the 50 freestyle and eighth in the 100 freestyle. She qualified for finals in the 50 free and finished eighth in the Bonus Finals. Carter Daniels added an eighth-place finish in the 100 breaststroke.
Relay teams turned in standout performances, led by the girls 200 freestyle relay of Sweeney, Junah Tingley, Annika Schmidt, and Leah Braddock, which placed second overall. The boys medley relay of Landon Braddock, Daniels, Joe Meeker, and Utah Coleman finished fifth.
Strong individual efforts included Leah Braddock (top 20 in breaststroke), Junah Tingley (13th in the 500 freestyle), Landon Braddock (13th in the 100 backstroke), and Utah Coleman (top 20 in the 100 backstroke).
Benjamin Logan swimmers recorded numerous personal records during the meet, including Catherine Bramlage, Carter Daniels, Jaylyn Parker, Joseph Meeker, Junah Tingley, Kaydence Hamlin, Kylie Curtis, Landon Braddock, Laurel Smith, Levi Hanson, Montana Coleman, Siina Gröndahl, Utah Coleman, and Wyatt Gordon.
Bellefontaine will host the Chieftain Invite on Saturday, December 27, with races beginning at 9 a.m. Benjamin Logan returns to the pool December 30 in Lima at the Bluffton Holiday Invitational.
