By Shannon

Umberger Patton

For the Enterprise

On Tuesday, July 18, the Oak Valley Orcas Swim Club from Advance  competed in the championships swim meet of the Greater Forsyth Swim League (GFSL) at the Greensboro Aquatic Center (part of the Greensboro Coliseum Complex).

The Orcas finished 10th out of the 17 teams in the meet with 863.5 points.  They finished behind Sherwood (1838), Brookberry Farm (1613), New Sherwood (1298.5), Shallowford Lakes (1259.5), Westwood (1157.5), Waterford (1138.5), Old Town Club (1130.5), Peace Haven (1123), and Willow Run (1052.5), teams that are larger than the Orcas’ size and have many more year-round swimmers.

Rounding out the meet were Town & Country (779), Clemmons West (672), Brookwood (575), Bermuda Run (542), Forsyth Country Club (438), Jonestown (336), and Grandview (335.5).

Each team could submit up to two relays for each relay event, giving a maximum of 34 relays competing in each event. Each team could submit up to three individual swimmers for each individual event, resulting in a maximum of 51 swimmers vying for points in each individual event.

The top 16 relay teams and the top 16 individuals in each event scored points for their teams.

The 5-10 year-olds swam on Tuesday morning.  Points-earning places for the Orcas in those divisions are as follows:

• 6&under girls: The 100 freestyle relay of Anna Haggerson, Kristen Starkey, Harper Randleman, and Jaynie Patton finished third; J Patton placed ninth in 25 freestyle; and Haggerson finished 10th in 25 backstroke.

• 6&under boys: Jax Osborn placed 16th in 25 freestyle and 4th in 25 backstroke; and Graham Weaver placed 9th in 25 backstroke.

• 7-8 girls: The 100 medley relay and 100 freestyle relay team consisting of Lily Wright, Kayden

Richardson, Samara McDaniel, and Rachel Starkey placed third and fourth, respectively; S. McDaniel placed seventh in 25 freestyle, 10th in 25 breaststroke, and 13th in 25 butterfly; R. Starkey finished 15th in 25 freestyle, 15th in 25 backstroke, and 9th in 50 freestyle; Richardson placed seventh in 25 butterfly, 16th in 25 breaststroke, and seventh in 50 freestyle; I Randleman finished 8th in 25 backstroke; and Wright placed 13th in 25 backstroke and 16th in 50 freestyle.

• 7-8 boys: The 100 medley relay of Aidan Nicolay, Jonathan Hanes, Zach Hirata, and Colin Nicolay finished second; the 100 freestyle relay of Hirata, Evan Helms, C. Nicolay, and A. Nicolay placed fourth; A. Nicolay placed fifth in 25 freestyle, 13th in (10&under) 100 IM, and fifth in 25 breaststroke; Helms finished 15th in 25 freestyle and 16th in 25 backstroke; C. Nicolay placed 11th in 25 butterfly, 15th in 25 backstroke, and ninth in 50 freestyle; Hirata finished 16th in (10&under) 100 IM and second in 25 backstroke; Hanes placed 12th in 25 breaststroke; and Brody Mace finished 15th in 50 freestyle.

• 9-10 girls: Sarah Rajacich placed seventh in 25 freestyle, fifth in 25 butterfly, and 16th in 25 breaststroke.

• 9-10 boys: The 100 medley relay and the 100 freestyle relay of Cooper Williams, Ian Patton, Christian Boswell, and Colin Bowen placed 14th and 10th, respectively; and Bowen finished 14th in 50 freestyle.

The 11-18 year-olds swam on Tuesday afternoon.  Points-earning places for the Orcas in those divisions are as follows:

• 11-12 girls: The 200 medley relay of Katelynn Williams, Katy Cheek, Ava Rajacich, and Meredith Warren placed 11th; the 200 freestyle relay of K. Williams, Sophia Brady, Warren, and A. Rajacich finished 12th; and A. Rajacich finished 10th in 50 butterfly, ninth in 100 IM, and fourth in 50 backstroke.

• 11-12 boys: The 200 medley relay and 200 freestyle relay of Palmer Williams, Alex Dorsett, Ethan Ratledge and Ryan Moore finished fifth and sixth, respectively; Ratledge placed seventh in 50 freestyle, ninth in 100 IM, and ninth in 50 breaststroke; P. Williams finished 11th in 100 IM, 14th in 50 backstroke, and 16th in 100 freestyle; Moore placed 10th in 50 backstroke; Dorsett finished fifth in 50 breaststroke; and A. Boswell placed 14th in 100 freestyle.

• 13-14 girls: The 200 medley relay of Cali Liquori, Emma Helton, Annika McDaniel, and Mary Kate Rolland placed 14th; the 200 freestyle relay of Liquori, Caroline Bliss, Helton, and A. McDaniel finished 15th; and Mackenzie Umberger finished 11th in 50 freestyle, 16th in 50 butterfly, and 10th in 100 IM.

• 13-14 boys: The 200 medley relay of Spencer Williams, Jaylen McDaniel, Luke Stillson, and Austin Boswell finished 13th; and the 200 freestyle relay of L Stillson, David Patton, J. McDaniel, and S. Williams placed 11th.

• 15-18 girls: The 200 medley relay and 200 freestyle relay of Maria Stillson, Elizabeth Dorsett, Victoria Sinopoli, and Umberger placed third and ninth, respectively; M. Stillson finished second in 50 freestyle, first in 50 backstroke (for the fourth year in a row), and fourth in 100 freestyle; and Sinopoli placed first in 50 butterfly, sixth in 100 IM, and ninth in 50 breaststroke.

• 15-18 boys: The 200 medley relay and 200 freestyle relay of Joey Boyle, Ethan Chase, Jack Coates, and Jack Scully both finished 11th; Coates placed 10th in 50 butterfly, 12th in 100 IM, and ninth in 50 breaststroke; and Chase finished seventh in 100 IM, third in 50 backstroke, and seventh in 50 breaststroke.

The Orcas had finished their regular season dual meet schedule the week before championships. They ended the season with a dual meet record of 4-1 with wins over Brookwood, Bermuda Run, Old Town Club, and Grandview. The team had 114 swimmers on the roster, representing 74 families.

The Orcas were coached this year by Jacob Sink and Maria Stillson. They were aided by assistant coaches Ethan Chase and Victoria Sinopoli, and 6&under coach Jeni Richardson.