Freeman Boys, Girls Sweep Titles At Virginia Class 5 Meet

2025 VHSL Class 5 State Meet

• March 5, 2025
• Richmond, VA
• SCY
• Results

The Douglas Freeman girls team was a bridesmaid no more, while the boys team returned to the top of the podium once again at the VHSL Class 5 state meet.

Both squads won in convincing fashion, with the Freeman girls winning their first ever state title after three previous runner-up finishes.

The boys team won its second straight title and fourth since 2019.

Class 5 is the second-largest classification of enrolled students at schools in the state.

GIRLS’ RECAP

Before heading off to swim at Virginia, Freeman senior Allison Bischoff closed her high school career out in the best way possible.

She won the 200 freestyle in a personal best time of 1:48.77 and the 100 butterfly in a personal best time of 55.34.

Bischoff swam third for the 200 medley relay team that won in a time of 1:44.36, just .27 ahead of second-place Godwin.

Other team members were Lane Francis, Elianna Cuce  and Molly Sleman.

Bischoff then was the anchor for Freeman’s winning team in the 200 free relay, which won in a time of 1:35.40.

Sleman, Francis and Charlotte White were the other team members.

Sleman and Francis each added individual titles. Sleman, a senior headed to New York University, won the 50 freestyle in a time of 23.62.

Francis, a freshman, won the 100 backstroke in a time of 55.85.

First Colonial’s team of Maris Marchione, Norah Everhart, Sara Teague and Dara Duffy won the 400 free relay in a time of 3:29.62.

Other individual winners were:

• Godwin senior Kate Hotem won the 200 individual medley in a time of 2:02.38.
• Deep Creek’s Sydney Holbach won the diving event with 417.80 points.
• First Colonial junior Dara Duffy won the 100 free in a personal best time of 51.26.
• Godwin sophomore Mia Eubank won the 500 free in a time of 4:59.22.
• Albemarle junior Sara Czirjak won the 100 breaststroke in a time of 1:03.52.

Girls’ Standings — Top 5

1. Freeman 310.5
2. First Colonial 294
3. Godwin 193
4. Midlothian 170
5. Albemarle 168

BOYS’ RECAP 

The Freeman boys’ team was also led by a Virginia signee, senior Nathan Szobota.

He won the 200 free in a time of 1:38.27 and the 500 free in a time of 4:28.68.

He was also a part of two winning relay teams. Szobota swam leadoff for Freeman’s teaming the 200 medley relay, which won in a time of 1;32.40.

Nicholas Kuriger, Charlie Duerson and Henry Brooks were the other team members.

In the 200 free relay, Szobota swam anchor for a Freeman team which won in a time of 1:24.80.

Brooks, Caleb Stuhlmacher and Kuriger comprised the rest of the team.

Brooks also won the 100 backstroke in a personal best time of 54.38.

The sprint freestyle star was First Colonial junior Austin Temple. He won the 50 free in a personal best time of 20.02 and the 100 free in a time of 43.94.

Temple was also the anchor for First Colonial’s 400 free relay team, which won in a time of 3:06.01. Chase Wilkerson, Parker Knapp and Will Wood were also part of the team.

The other individual standout was James River junior Matthew Wolfie, who won the 200 individual medley in a time of 1:48.78 and the 100 breaststroke in a personal best time of 54.38.

Other individual winners were:

• Vincent Popovsky of Albemarle won the diving event with 423.35 points.
• Matoaca senior Zachary Goad won the 100 butterfly in a time of 48.34.

Boys’ Standings — Top 5

1. Freeman 328
2. First Colonial 206
3. Independence 173
4. James River 160
5. Godwin 150