Columbus East High School

The Columbus East boys and girls swim teams welcomed HHC rival Seymour Thursday night at the Olympians Swim Complex, facing a deep and experienced Owls squad in a challenging dual meet. Seymour came away with team victories on both sides, defeating the Olympian boys 132–46 and the girls 158–5. On the girls side, Columbus East was represented by a lone competitor in Baylee Benefield, who stepped up to race multiple events against a full Seymour lineup. Benefield earned a third-place finish in the 100-yard backstroke with a time of 1:21.62 and followed that effort with a fourth-place showing in the 200-yard individual medley, touching the wall in 2:58.65. Competing solo, Benefield continued to gain valuable race experience while scoring points for the Olympians. The boys team found success in several events despite the final score. Josh Pendleton delivered the highlight of the night for East, capturing first place in the 200-yard individual medley with a winning time of 2:04.50. Pendleton also added a runner-up finish in the 100-yard breaststroke. Columbus East’s excelled in the relays, as Alex Stilson, Mason Bean, Pendleton, and Ryan Turner combined to win the 400-yard freestyle relay in 3:38.22. Individually, Bean placed second in the 200-yard freestyle, while Turner finished second in the 100-yard freestyle. While the final scores tilted heavily toward Seymour, the night was less about growth and more about perseverance for the Olympians, who continue to compete shorthanded and fight through meets with limited numbers. They continue to battle, despite the odds.