Bloomington Kennedy edged out Columbia Heights in a tightly contested dual on Wednesday night, earning an 85–81 varsity victory that came down to a handful of pivotal races and a clutch closing relay. Both teams showed marked improvement as the season progresses, with Kennedy leaning on top-end speed and Columbia Heights countering with gritty swims and balanced depth.
Kennedy opened the meet with a strong win in the 200 Medley Relay, as the A-squad of Ben Jones, Henry Firnhaber, Bear Merida, and Javi Cruz touched in 1:58.49. Columbia Heights kept the race competitive, but Kennedy’s clean execution gave them an early advantage.
Columbia Heights seized momentum in the 200 Freestyle, where Simon Carter and Juan Brito Ortiz went 1–2 with times of 2:25.82 and 2:27.55. Kennedy’s Isaac Wirebaugh and Elliot Swenson followed in third and fourth, preventing a full sweep but narrowing the score.
Kennedy regained control in the 200 IM thanks to a commanding win from Henry Firnhaber, who clocked 2:18.06—one of the standout swims of the night. Reiban Vasquez Martin placed second for Heights, but Kennedy added a third-place finish from Bear Merida to bolster their lead.
In the 50 Freestyle, Kennedy delivered another big scoring swing as Javi Cruz won in 25.14, narrowly out-touching Heights’ Juan Brito Ortiz, while River Kieffer added a strong third for Heights. Kennedy’s depth, however, held steady with Hunter Heinz and Hudson Heinz adding fifth and sixth-place finishes.
Diving brought Heights back into the meet, with Reiban Vasquez Martin taking the 1-meter event with a score of 105.35. That win tightened the gap and set up an exciting middle stretch of the dual.
The 100 Butterfly shifted momentum back to Kennedy when Ben Jones powered to a decisive 1:01.22 victory. Heights responded with second from Norbu Lama, but Kennedy padded their total as Bear Merida placed third.
The 100 Freestyle once again leaned Kennedy’s way as Javi Cruz returned for his second win of the night, touching in 57.83. Heights kept the event close with Artem Potapov and Josiah Kahle finishing second and third, but Kennedy added important depth points with Hunter Heinz in fifth.
Columbia Heights earned one of its biggest surges in the 500 Freestyle, where Simon Carter dominated the field, winning in 7:02.27. Kennedy’s Elliot Swenson, Isaac Wirebaugh, and Eli Bavier claimed the next three spots, limiting what could have been a major scoring swing for Heights.
The 200 Free Relay then delivered Heights its most dramatic event win. The squad of River Kieffer, Reiban Vasquez Martin, Norbu Lama, and Simon Carter combined for a 1:53.54 finish, clawing Heights even closer and setting up a tight final third of the meet.
Kennedy responded with authority in the 100 Backstroke, where Ben Jones posted a dominant 1:02.13. Teammate Hudson Heinz took second, scoring a crucial 10–3 event advantage and briefly giving Kennedy breathing room.
The 100 Breaststroke added one more big lift for Kennedy thanks to Henry Firnhaber, who won comfortably in 1:07.58. Heights’ River Kieffer and Josiah Kahle grabbed important points in second and third, keeping the meet within reach entering the final relay.
Needing a strong finish to secure the win, Kennedy delivered under pressure. The 400 Free Relay of Isaac Wirebaugh, Javi Cruz, Ben Jones, and Henry Firnhaber powered to a 4:02.13 victory—clinching the dual. Columbia Heights’ A-relay put up a strong fight in 4:51.93, but Kennedy’s closing speed ultimately sealed the meet.
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