State Swimming: Avon boys relay makes history

The Avon boys team made history in more ways than one at the Division I state tournament at Canton's Branin Natatorium. The 200 medley relay of sophomore Luke Lundgard, senior Tommy Lipowski, senior Gavin Bello and sophomore Ian Cibulskas moved up two spots Saturday from its No. 16 seeding (1:37.89) to finish 14th with a time of 1:37.72. The Eagles relay placed sixth of eight teams in the B consolation final. "Our goal was to qualify any relay to state this year. I knew we were good enough, but doing it when you have to is a different story," Avon coach Adam Crabtree said. "Last week at districts Luke and Ian really hit and threw down huge lifetime bests to help get us here. Yesterday Gavin had a big drop to get us to finals. Today Tommy broke 27 for the first time on his breaststroke split to help us climb to 14th. I cannot remember a relay in my 22 years of coaching that had a new leg rise to the occasion each week to keep us moving on. "It is a truly special group of boys. They really exemplify what it means to be a team and have each other's back. I am just grateful to help them achieve this and end our season on such a good note." The 200 medley relay along with the 400 free relay were the first two relays to qualify to state for the Avon boys program. The 200 medley relay also marked the first All-Ohio honors in a non-diving event since Ben Brooks finished second in the 100 breast and third in the 200 IM at the 2017 meet. "I have dreamed about going to state and it finally came true," said Lipowski. "My teammates have worked so hard to get to the state meet. My last four years ended in the best way possible by making the state meet in my 100 breaststroke and making finals in the 200 medley relay. I couldn't have done it without the support from my family, coaches and my teammates. I will forever love Avon High swim and dive." "My goal was to make it to state this season and the closer we got to it the more we got excited," said Lundgard, a state qualifier in the 50 free and 100 free. "When I found out we made finals for the 200 medley relay on Friday I was super excited. It meant that I get to swim one more time with Tommy and Gavin before they go off to college. Hard work paid off and I want to give thanks to my coaches, teammates and parents who were pushing and supporting me this season. My goal next season is to improve and make finals for my individual races." Columbus St. Charles won the event for the third year in a row in a tournament-record 1:27.20, breaking the 2020 record of 1:27.97 held by Cincinnati St. Xavier. It also broke St. Charles' state record of 1:27.20 set in 2025. St. Ignatius was a close second in 1:27.72. "The atmosphere of the state meet was crazy. I had such a great time with my teammates and coaches," said Bello. "Qualifying to the state meet was my one goal since freshman year. This year I was lucky enough to not only make the state meet with my boys but final, which was the cherry on top. My goal was to go out and finish my high school career on my terms with my teammates. This season I made quantum leaps thanks to my coaches and teammates. "The district meet did not really end up the way I wanted but God gave me a second chance for another week at the state meet. What I learned from this season is not every opportunity you have is going to go your way no matter how much you train but if you have fun, seize the moment and swim for your team great things will come your way." Contact Paul Heyse at (440) 329-7135 or ctsports@chroniclet.com.