The 2026 Columbus Sectionals kicked off with a bang, as KK LeBlanc made a splash with her lifetime best 200 backstroke time of 2:13.31. This marks a significant improvement from her previous best of 2:16.20, and it's clear that LeBlanc is in top form. What makes this performance even more impressive is the fact that she's swimming collegiately for Ohio State, which is a testament to her dedication and hard work. In my opinion, this is a huge step forward for LeBlanc, and it's exciting to see her progress.
LeBlanc's performance was one of the highlights of the night, but it wasn't the only one. Paige Delma also turned in a strong performance, touching in a 2:34.18 in the 200 breast. While this is slightly slower than her previous best of 2:32.37, it's still a solid performance and a testament to her consistency. Delma's performance was particularly impressive given the fact that she's also swimming collegiately for Ohio State.
One thing that immediately stands out is the dominance of Ohio State on the women's side. While there were a few non-Ohio State swimmers who turned in strong performances, the majority of the top spots were taken by Ohio State athletes. This is a clear indication of the strength of the program and the depth of talent within the team.
On the men's side, William Savarese turned in a strong performance, dropping over three seconds in the 200 breaststroke to touch in a 2:14.04. This is a significant improvement from his previous best of 2:17.10, and it's clear that Savarese is in top form. Like LeBlanc and Delma, Savarese is also swimming collegiately for Ohio State, which is a testament to the program's strength and depth.
Aiden Gerst also turned in a strong performance, touching in a 2:00.53 in the 200 backstroke. While this is slightly slower than his previous best of 2:00.09, it's still a solid performance and a testament to his consistency. Gerst's performance was particularly impressive given the fact that he's swimming collegiately for Cincinnati.
Overall, the 2026 Columbus Sectionals kicked off with a bang, and it's clear that there's a lot of talent on display. While Ohio State dominated the women's side, there were strong performances from swimmers across the board. In my opinion, this is a clear indication of the strength of the program and the depth of talent within the swimming community. As we move forward, it will be interesting to see how these swimmers continue to progress and how they fare against their competitors.
