GRIDLEY, CA (MPG) - Billy Routon of the North State Narwhals Swim Team qualified and recently competed Thursday to Sunday in the Far Western Championships held in Morgan Hill.

This meet hosted more than 1,300 athletes from 140 teams, representing nine different western states. Routon competed in the 100-meter butterfly, 100-meter backstroke and 200-meter butterfly. He is an eighth-grade student at Manzanita Elementary School and hopes to swim for Gridley High School next fall.

The North State Narwhals Swim Team is coached by Betsy Aird in Chico. Routon began swimming for the Gridley Gators at 4-years-old. He is incredibly grateful for this opportunity and it represents many hours spent working hard in the pool.