First Pirate to reach podium at the state meet

By Cort Reynolds

CANTON – Bluffton High School senior swimmer Jackson Bowlus competed well in two finals races at the Div. II state meet in Canton’s C.T. Branin Natatorium on Friday evening, February 27.

Pirate ace Bowlus earned All-Ohio honors by making it to the podium in the 100-yard backstroke event.

Bowlus finished seventh in the eight-man 100-yard backstroke A Finals Friday evening with a time of 52.57. It was a .09 improvement over his state preliminary race time of 52.66 and a new team record. 

Junior Jack Mahaffey of the Wellington School in Columbus sped to the boys state title in the 100 backstroke with a dominating time of 48.38.

Earlier on Friday night, Bowlus touched the wall sixth in the eight-man B consolation 50-yard freestyle race with a time of 22.13.  He ended up 14^th out of 32 swimmers at state in the 50 freestyle.