Cape swimming rolls over Bulldogs

Boys’ team avenges one-point loss to Brandywine

The Cape medley relay team wins the opening event with a time of 1:43.88. Shown are (l-r) Brooks Leonhartt, Holden Tighe, Brady Schell and Shane Toback. DAN COOK PHOTOS

Dan Cook

January 27, 2025

Cape swimming remained 8-0 on the season with a boys’ 101-48 and a girls’ 95-66 victory over a talented Brandywine squad Jan. 23 at the Sussex Family YMCA in Rehoboth Beach.

The Cape boys’ team took top finishes in nine of the 11 races and broke two school records. The boys’ squad has set three new records over the last two meets.

Freshman Jaxen Edwards earned the new records, clocking a time of 1:47.47 in the 200 freestyle and a 4:53.36 in the 500 free.

“I am very grateful for the opportunity to compete on a high level with my teammates,” said Edwards. “We are in a really great place as a team, and I am very excited to see how we close out the season.”

Junior Holden Tighe broke the 100 free record the previous week against Seaford with a time of 48.83.

The Cape boys’ squad was set on revenge in the pool, as the Vikings lost last season by just one point, 85.5-84.5.

“I was really eager to race them after last year’s loss,” said Tighe. “I think that it put into perspective for our team and a lot of other people how well we are going to do for this last part of the season.”

“We lost to Brandywine last year by one point, so it feels good to secure this win,” said junior Brooks Leonhartt. “I think it will motivate our team to push the limits in the state tournament.”

The Vikings girls’ squad took seven of 11 races to garner the 95-66 win.

Cape sophomore Mia Jaoude was part of three victories, swimming a leg of the medley relay, and taking first in the 200 freestyle and the 100 butterfly. Junior Sidney Caldwell also swam to three wins in the 50 free, 100 backstroke and 200 free relay.

“They put up a phenomenal fight, and their sportsmanship is stellar,” said Jaoude. “There were many close and equal times between our swimmers and theirs, which gave many thrilling races to watch and cheer for.”

“Brandywine is always a great out-of-conference matchup,” said Cape senior Jenna Reinhold. “Their small team of strong swimmers leads to competitive races all around.”

“Brandywine is always fun to swim each season, because they have great swimmers who give us some challenging races,” said Cape head coach Bill Geppert. “Regardless of the outcome, both coaching staffs feel this gives us a quality feel of what states will be like in a few weeks. My coaching staff is doing an outstanding job getting our kids back in competition shape following the time off due to snow.”

Cape sophomore Mia Jaoude wins the 200 freestyle with a time of 2:00.21. She also took top honors in the 100 butterfly with a time of 1:00.71.

Cape senior Jenna Reinhold leaves the blocks to start the 200 medley rely. She and teammates Zoey Neufeld, Mia Jaoude and Isla Touw won in 1:59.82.

Junior Holden Tighe swims the breaststroke leg of the medley relay. He and his teammates Shane Toback, Brady Schell and Brooks Leonhartt won the race with a time of 1:43.88.

Cape sophomore Brady Schell wins the 100 butterfly in a time of 55.67.

The girls’ 200 free relay team took first with a time of 1:55.79. Shown are (l-r) Zoey Neufeld, Sidney Caldwell, Hailey Hassell and Hayden Hazzard.

Kacey Callaway leaves the blocks in the relay.

Cape senior Lilian Phile swims the individual medley. “Brandywine is always a team we look forward to swimming against because of their competitiveness,” said Phile. “It was a close meet, and we had a lot of fun.”