It had been more than two decades since Gilman's varsity swimming team bested McDonogh at a head-to-head rivalry meet, but the Eagles' long-standing win streak was broken on Thursday, January 9, with the Hounds leaving with a 105-65 cumulative win and several new individual school records.

In the 200-yard medley relay, Gilman's team of Jackson Heether '25, Myles Koff '26, Max Kunisaki '25, and Bogdan Mytsak '26 finished its heat with a new school record time of 1:34.56, shaving 1.53 seconds off of the previous record.

Kunisaki and Mytsak also claimed new individual school records. Record times of 20.92 in the 50-yard freestyle and 57.29 in the 100-yard breaststroke secured two first-place heat wins for Kunisaki. Mytsak also took home first place in his 100-yard butterfly heat with a record time of 50.84.

"Breaking this streak is just the beginning — our eyes are now set on the MIAA Championship, which we haven't won in decades," shared Kunisaki, a 2024-2025 co-captain with Heether, who added: "This year, we believe we can help bring a plaque back to Gilman, and everyone on the team is willing to put the work in to make this goal achievable."

"The Gilman swim coaches are super proud of what the team achieved last night, both from a team standpoint and an individual standpoint. There are guys on the team that have represented Gilman swimming, now going on six years, that have never beaten the McDonogh Eagles' powerhouse swim team prior to last night," said Aquatics Director and Head Varsity Swimming Coach Vaughan Smith. "Gilman set the tone right away in the first race, the 200-yard medley relay, by finishing first and second. That is an accomplishment in its own right! Then we won every single event thereafter as well as taking first, second and third in two of the events, therefore showing our depth of talent!"

Congratulations, swimmers and coaches!