2025 Speedo Sectionals – Columbia, Missouri
- March 13-16, 2025
- Mizzou Aquatic Center – Columbia, MO
- SCY (25 yards), Prelims/Finals
- Results on Meet Mobile: “Region VIII Speedo Spring Sectionals”
In a galaxy not so far, far away, one Anakin Fischer is competing at a Star Wars themed swim meet this weekend, alongside swimmers from Empire KC Swim Club.
The 2025 Columbia Sectionals got off to an exciting start yesterday, and not just because of the perfectly named individuals in the mix.
Image courtesy Reid Carlson
The prelims session saw three competitors break Olympic medalist Michael Andrew’s meet record in the 200 back. Empire’s Andrew Baklanov, River City Aquatics’ Nate Thomas and Arkansas Dolphins’ Joshua Smith all posted times under the former 1:45.14 record mark, which Andrew set back in 2018.
Baklanov led the charge in 1:43.41, racing into the wall with nearly a one second lead to secure the meet record title for himself. The SMU commit threw down a lifetime best performance and knocked almost three seconds off of his previous best (1:46.35). He improved his time even further during finals, winning the event in 1:42.32 to set a new championship record.
Thomas qualified 2nd in prelims (1:44.37), while Smith took 3rd in a personal best time (1:44.47). Both swimmers were knocked down one spot in finals as JD Thumann jumped into the mix, posting a time of 1:44.51 to claim the runner-up spot.
Empire KC’s Noah Reeves turned in a double victory on day 1, prevailing in both the 50 free (20.05) and 200 breast (1:58.44). Reeves narrowly out-touched runner-up Trey Clervi in the breaststroke, as Clervi raced into the wall just behind him in 1:58.49.
Fischer turned in a strong performance on day 1, placing 5th in the 200 breast. He threw down a time of 2:02.51, shaving .25 off of his swim from the morning and dropping 3.37 overall from his lifetime best set back in 2022.
Making a splash on the girls side was Razorback Aquatic’s McKenzie Vasquez, who won the 1000 free in 9:55.90, marking a personal best time by over 12 seconds. Vasquez also helped her team to a victory in the 800 free relay, posting a time of 1:49.40 as the anchor leg as she was joined by teammates Alexa D’Amico, Hayden Gibson and Ella Butcher.
The runner-up behind Vasquez in the 1000 was the CSP Tideriders’ Kate Punnewaert. She turned in a time of 10:07.40, dropping over seven seconds, before placing 8th in the 200 back (2:02.20) during finals.
Day 1 Event Winners
- Women 50 Fly: Lucy Velte (EKC) – 23.98
- Men 50 Fly: Yofang Yu (NWAA) – 21.71
- Women 200 Back: Sydney Schoeck (CSP) – 1:52.37
- Women 50 Free: Alyssa Albertyn (SEA) – 22.75
- Women 200 Breast: Anna Bream (AAAA) – 2:13.00
- Men 1650 Free: Alec Enyeart (TST) – 14:43.03
- Men 800 Free Relay: Tsunami Swim Team (Enyeart, Ellis Crisci, Cole Tobin, Whitaker Steward) – 6:35.40
Team Scores Through Day 1
Girls Top 5:
- CSP Tideriders – 458
- Empire KC Swim Club – 399.5
- Razorback Aquatic Club – 261
- Wichita Swim Club – 169.5
- Northwest Arkansas Aquatics – 129
Boys Top 5:
- Tsunami Swim Team of K.C. – 392
- CSP Tideriders – 272
- Empire KC Swim Club – 226
- Parkway Swim Club – 220
- Greater Omaha Aquatics Leopard – 139
Swimming is a pathway to many abilities some consider to be unnatural.
Can’t wait till we see the first Khaleesi tearing up the record books
I am sure Charlotte (the writer) didn’t wake up this morning thinking she would be starting a SwimSwam article with “in a galaxy far far away”! Good stuff!
What happened to Enyeart at Texas? Some team culture they have there