STEUBENVILLE — The Big Red Invitational continues to grow.

The 2025 version of the invitational was the biggest ever as a record 20 teams competed Saturday inside the Steubenville Natatorium.

Fourteen boys teams scored in the event, while 13 girls teams tallied at least one point.

“We had 20 teams here,” Big Red head coach Wendy Tucker said. “It was our biggest invitational ever. It is a great opportunity for the local kids to get into the pool and prepare for sectionals. It is great community bonding. It is great for all the teams to come together.”

New Philadelphia finished first on the boys’ side with 97 points, Linsly ended up in second place with 95 and Warren was third with 54 points. Locally, Indian Creek collected 25 points on the day to finish in eighth place, Catholic Central tallied a ninth place finish with 24 points and Edison ended up in 10th place with 18 points. Also, Weir finished in 11th place with 16 points, while Big Red recorded four points to finish in 13th place.

“We have got boys’ back,” Tucker said. “We have a brand new group of boys. They set personal bests. That is always good to see.”

For Catholic Central, the school’s 400 freestyle relay team of Colton Dobson, Javi Descalzo, Cash Dobson and Santi Descalzo placed third with a time of 4:13.18. Individually, Santi Descalzo finished in fourth place in the 100 butterfly with a time of 1:03.48, and he finished fifth in the 200 freestyle with a time of 2:05.59.

Weir’s Ryan Owen placed second in the 100 breaststroke with a time of 1:11.04.

Indian Creek’s 400 freestyle relay team of Hunter Rusnak, Hunter Allen, Elijah Bright and Caleb Zifzal placed third with a time of 4:10.27.

Edison’s 400 freestyle relay team of Isaac Pudder, Wyatt Bernhart, Nate Green and Micah Larkins finished sixth with a time of 4:24.7.

St. Clairsville came out on top on the girls’ side with 123.5 points, Linsly was second with 108 points and New Philadelphia finished in third place with 53 points.

Locally, Indian Creek ended up in eighth place with 24 points, Big Red ended up in 10th place with 17 points and Weir was 11th with 12 points. Also, Edison ended up tied for 12th place with Martins Ferry. The Wildcats and the Purple Riders each scored one point on the day.

“For us, it was the last the last swim for our three seniors – Kinsey Tucker, Chandler Hoffman and Emma Munson.

“The girls set many PRs. They are a joy to coach. They are a wonderful group. They are kind and caring kids.”

Individually for Big Red, Kinsey Tucker finished fourth in the 100 backstroke with a time of 1:12.72, and she finished fifth in the 200 IM with a time of 2:46.09.

Kinsey was joined on Big Red’s 200 freestyle relay team by Magdalene McKenna, Gabriella Rea and Bella Prolago. The team finished fifth in the event with a time of 2:00.96.

Weir’s Catherine Goldowski finished fourth in the 50 freestyle with a time of 29.2 seconds.

Big Red will also host the sectional meet Feb. 8.

“We’re grateful to all the volunteers and the staff for everything they do to put this invitational together and allow us to host this event every year,” Coach Tucker said.