GRIDLEY, CA (MPG) – The Gridley High School swim team has had a record-breaking season, with the boys team setting a new standard with their season record of 56-0. The ladies have also had a strong season as the team moves on to the Division II championships this week after securing the Butte View League Championship.

To understand how swim is scored and how meets are structured can be difficult when compared to other organized sports teams which traditionally take on one team at a time except for tournament play. The GHS swim team takes on eight teams at each of their meets, swimming in individual and relay competitions. Total times are tallied, and the oveall score determines their team or individual ranking in the meet. 

To move on to the Division II Championship Finals, GHS swimmers must meet qualifying times in both individual and relay swim competitions. Not only has the GHS swim team done so, but they have also taken the BVL Championships, and both the boys and girls teams have put forth strong showings throughout their season. 

With only seven swimmers, the GHS boys swim team have consistently out swum teams in the BVL which include Durham, Orland, Winters, Las Plumas, Oroville, Willows, Providence and Paradise High Schools. They have come away with the top score, or first place, at each meet throughout the season, including the BVL Championship, coming away with a spotless win-loss record of 56-0. 

GHS swim coach, Monica Terry cannot express the gravity of such a season record and what it means to have such athletes competing for GHS. To achieve something of this magnitude is “absolutely amazing” she says and hopes to shine a spotlight on these talented swimmers.

“I don’t know of any other team that has done this,” she reiterated.

Swimming for the GHS team are the following young men: Jayce Lewellen, Billie Routon, Luke Soares, Harper Solander, Nico Donati, Nate Yahuaca, and Aaron Rogers.

Competing against the eight teams in their league, the ladies have also been doing swimmingly. They have placed first in two out of six meets and consistently ranked in the top three all season. They too placed in the BVL Championship meet held on October 19, taking second.

The ladies will progress on to the Division II Championship Finals this week. Making up the ladies portion of the team are Phoenix Brynnan, Sid Allard, Evie LaBuff, Annie Woods, Hope Gallagher, Ellie Woods, Earline Adams, Zoey Williams, Jasmine Johnson, Gemma Donati and Audrey Beck.

The GHS swim team will compete on Wednesday, October 26 at the Division II Finals held at Shasta College, taking on 34 high school swim teams from Division I and II. The top performers from that meet stand to be invited to the North Section Swim Masters Meet, held just two days later on Saturday, October 29.

The Gridley High School Swim Team and its swimmers have been invited to compete at the masters meet since its inception 16 years ago.