Lancers Take Third at Division II Sectionals Behind Deep Lineup and Big Relays

Gilmour Academy made a strong postseason statement at the OHSAA Division II sectional meet at Cleveland State University on Feb. 13, as the Lancers’ women’s swimming and diving team raced to a third-place finish with 237 points. In a fast field that produced multiple sectional records and state-caliber swims, the Lancers answered with depth across events and clutch relay performances that kept them firmly in the top tier of the standings all night.

Leading the way for Gilmour was standout all-around performer Lorelai Kaufman, who turned in a big double-individual day. Kaufman claimed second place in the 200-yard individual medley, showcasing her versatility across all four strokes, and later returned to grab fourth in the 100-yard breaststroke. Her ability to score high in two demanding events provided a major points boost and set the tone for the Lancers’ strong showing in the individual races.

Teammate Tinsley Zhang added another powerful one-two punch for the Lancers in the middle-distance and butterfly events. Zhang took second in the 200-yard freestyle, battling through a deep field to secure one of the team’s top finishes of the meet, then followed that performance with a fourth-place finish in the 100-yard butterfly. Her efforts helped anchor Gilmour’s presence in the middle of the program, complementing Kaufman’s IM and breaststroke strength.

Gilmour’s relays were a cornerstone of the third-place team finish, with all three scoring units stepping up in big moments. The 200-yard medley relay delivered an impressive third-place finish, with Bela Jimenez, Kaufman and Miki Iskra combining to keep the Lancers on the podium in one of the meet’s key opening events. That early relay result helped establish momentum and signaled that the Lancers would be contenders in the team race.

Depth and teamwork continued to shine in the sprint free relay. The 200-yard freestyle relay team of Iskra, Jimenez, Evelyn Myers and Elizabeth “Lizzie” Covington surged to fourth place, adding more critical points against a competitive lineup of sectional powers. Each leg held strong under pressure, and the relay’s top-four finish underscored how multiple Lancers contributed to the scoring column, not just the headliners.

The Lancers closed the meet with one of their best performances of the night in the 400-yard freestyle relay. The quartet of Zhang, Iskra, Myers and Kaufman combined for a third-place finish in the meet’s longest relay, capping the evening with another podium swim. That final relay result helped lock in Gilmour’s third-place team total and was a fitting showcase of the squad’s blend of speed, endurance and competitive grit.

With multiple top-three relay finishes and standout individual efforts from Kaufman, Zhang, Iskra, Jimenez, Myers and Covington, the Lancers left Cleveland State with plenty of momentum and pride. The third-place, 237-point performance highlighted a roster that is deep, determined and ready for the next stage of the postseason. As qualifiers advance to district and potentially state competition, Gilmour’s strong sectional showing signals that the Lancers will continue to be a team to watch in Division II.

District Qualifiers: Bela Jimenez, Lorelai Kaufman, Tinsley Zhang, Miki Iskra, Lauren Malbassa, Evelyn Myers, Lizzie Covington, and Brynn Whitling