On the bitterly cold Wednesday evening of January 15, in Northeast Ohio, where temperatures barely climbed into the teens and the wind chills made it feel even colder, thoughts of summer fun, swimming pools, and water immersion seemed far removed. Snow had once again blanketed the region, turning the world outside into a winter wonderland. Yet, amidst the chill, there was a group that couldn't be kept away from the water.

The Brush Arcs swim team, bundled up in thick layers to brave the winter night, made their way to their home pool at John Carroll University. Despite the icy weather outside, the William H. Johnson Natatorium awaited them, a warm refuge where the night's competition would unfold. Their opponents for the evening? The Bedford Bearcats, ready for another heated clash in the pool.
For the Brush Arcs, the 2024-25 season had been one of tremendous growth. The team had experienced new challenges, embraced fresh opportunities, and met those challenges head-on with impressive results. And on this night, they were prepared to do the same.

As the meet began, the Arcs swiftly set the tone, battling through 22 events with determination. The boys' team dominated, finishing with a commanding 89-13 victory, while the girls' team, though facing stiffer competition, still secured a 59-37 win.

The relay teams were in top form. In the girls' 200 Medley Relay, the quartet of Savannah Augustine, Holly Raynor, Eliana Sypniewski, and Lizzie Cifuentes showed their undeniable chemistry, powering to first place. They didn't stop there, also finishing first in the 400 Freestyle Relay and the 200 Freestyle Relay. Meanwhile, the team of Camila Chacon, Kiah Ekechukwu, Lauryn Hines, and Skylar Redding also showcased their talent, securing second place in both the 200 Medley Relay and the 200 Freestyle Relay.
 
 
The boys' team was just as strong, with Luis Barrientos, Luke Raynor, Chase Wall, and Tristan Skelton bringing home the victory in the 200 Medley Relay. Skelton, Wall, Raynor, and Geofferson Betts mirrored that success in both the 200 Freestyle Relay and 400 Freestyle Relay (with Betts, Barrientos, Wall, and Lukas Alexander contributing to the winning team).

Individual performances were also stellar. Holly Raynor and her brother Luke both finished first in the 200 Freestyle event, while Madan Rai, Azuri Sharp, and Tristan Skelton took top spots in the 50 Freestyle event. Sypniewski and Rai earned first place in the 100 Freestyle competition, while Chacon triumphed in the girls' 100 Backstroke. Augustine and Shelton took the top spots in their respective 100 Breaststroke heats, further adding to the evening's success.

The night concluded with the Arcs having shown their strength, teamwork, and determination. The victories were sweet, but the sense of camaraderie and growth within the team was even sweeter. As the swimmers left the warm confines of the pool and braved the cold once more, they couldn't help but look forward to their next meet, which would be another important step in their journey.
Up next for the "Aqua Arcs" is a meet against Wickliffe on January 29th at JCU, but it wouldn't just be any regular competition—it would also be Senior Night, a chance to honor the 12th-grade swimmers who had dedicated years to the team. The meet, set to start at 6:15 p.m., would be a celebration of their hard work, growth, and achievements.

"ARC NATION, make YOUR plans to attend now!" the team's announcement echoed, inviting everyone to join in the celebration and cheer on the Arcs. It was a night to remember and one that would set the stage for even greater moments to come.