On Tuesday, July 24, the Oak Valley Orcas Swim Club from Advance competed in the championships/league finals swim meet of the Greater Forsyth Swim League (GFSL) at the Greensboro Aquatic Center.

The Orcas finished 13th out of the 19 teams with 588 points, behind Sherwood (1,939.5), Brookberry Farm (1,494), Shallowford Lakes (1,486), New Sherwood (1,467), Peace Haven (1,308.5), Westwood (1,123), Old Town Club (1,058), Waterford (964.5), Willow Run (945), Brookwood (835.5), Bermuda Run (624.5), and Clemmons West (621.5), many of which are teams that are much larger than the Orcas’ size and have more year-round swimmers. Rounding out the meet were Forsyth Country Club (518), Grandview (475), Town and Country (359), Jonestown (250), Greenbrier (63), and Salem Glen (16).

Each team could submit up to two relays for each event, giving a maximum of 38 teams competing in each relay.  Each team could submit up to three swimmers for each individual event, resulting in a maximum of 57 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.

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

• 6 & under girls: The 100-yard freestyle relay of Olivia Hughes, Annabelle Wright, Layla Hazlip, and Kristen Starkey finished third; K. Starkey placed second in 25-yard freestyle and fourth in 25-yard backstroke; Hazlip finished 14th in 25-yard freestyle; Hughes placed 15th and Wright 16th in 25-yard backstroke.

• 6 & under boys: The 100-yard freestyle relay of Michael Collins, Will Weaver, Alex Hirata, and Zack Rolland finished ninth; and Collins placed 10th in 25-yard backstroke.

• 7-8 girls: The 100-yard medley relay of Addison Cline, K Starkey, Giulianna Steuart, and Rachel Starkey finished ninth; the 100-yard freestyle relay of Steuart, Grace Gilliam, Jaynie Patton, and R. Starkey placed sixth; R. Starkey finished eighth in 25-yard freestyle, 15th in 25-yard backstroke, and fourth in 50-yard freestyle; Gilliam placed 12th in 25-yard butterfly; Steuart finished 15th in 25-yard butterfly; and K. Starkey swam to 12th in 25-yard breaststroke.

• 7-8 boys: The 100-yard medley relay and 100-yard freestyle relay of Calahan Quinn, Ryan Richardson, Colin Nicolay, and Graham Weaver finished ninth and eighth; and C. Nicolay placed first in 25-yard freestyle, fourth in 25-yard butterfly, and second in 50-yard freestyle.

• 9-10 girls: The 100-yard  medley relay of Lily Wright, Ava Williams, Olivia Williams, and Samara McDaniel finished 10th; the 100-yard freestyle relay of S. McDaniel, A. Williams, O. Williams, and Katie Booe placed 11th; and S. McDaniel finished 16th in 25-yard freestyle.

• 9-10 boys: The 100-yard  medley relay and 100-yard freestyle relay of Evan Helms, Aidan Nicolay, Zach Hirata, and Ian Patton both placed eighth; A. Nicolay finished 13th in 25-yard freestyle, 16th in 100-yard IM, and 12th in 25-yard