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11/18/2025: Gator Swimmers Host Annual Gator Crawl Invitational at YMCA in Waycross

Matt Collins

November 19, 2025

The Ware County Swim Team welcomed programs from across the region to the YMCA in Waycross on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, for the annual WARE Gator Crawl Invitational. The meet featured a full slate of 22 events and showcased strong performances across the boys, girls, and combined divisions.

When the final race touched the wall, Appling County claimed the Combined Team Championship with 138 points, followed closely by Valwood (132) and Valdosta (120). Ware County turned in solid results throughout the day, finishing 5th overall with 73 points.

GIRLS TEAM RESULTS

The Lady Gators delivered a balanced and competitive showing, finishing 4th overall with 57 points.

Girls Team Standings:

  1. Appling County - 94

  2. Pierce County - 82

  3. Valwood - 72

  4. Ware County - 57

  5. Valdosta - 11

  6. Glynn County - 9

Ware County’s scoring was led by several strong individual swims, highlighted by Kate Thorderson, Ava Bennett, Bailey Wyatt, Karmyn Jones, and Emma Paul, who contributed in both individual and relay events.

Girls Highlights

  • Girls 200 Medley Relay - Ware County placed 2nd (2:56.90) behind Valwood, with legs by Ava Bennett, Bailey Wyatt, Kate Thorderson, and Olivia Ray.

  • Girls 200 IM - Freshman standout Kate Thorderson earned 1st place with a time of 3:17.34, scoring 9 points.

  • Girls 50 Freestyle - Ware had several competitors, with Ava Bennett leading the group, clocking 35.42.

  • Girls 100 Freestyle - Bailey Wyatt finished in 1:25.19, scoring valuable points, followed by strong efforts from teammates Jones, Coffie, and Weston.

  • Girls 100 Backstroke - Thorderson returned to capture 4th place in 1:28.51, while Bailey Wyatt added a 6th-place finish (1:45.91).

  • Girls 100 Breaststroke - Emma Paul finished 5th (2:27.40), adding a key 4 points for the Lady Gators.

  • Girls 400 Freestyle Relay - Ware County claimed 3rd place (5:59.85) with legs by Bennett, Wyatt, Jones, and Thorderson.

BOYS TEAM RESULTS

The Gator boys team placed 6th overall with 16 points, battling in a field dominated by Valdosta, Valwood, and Glynn County.

Boys Team Standings:

  1. Valdosta - 109

  2. Valwood - 60

  3. Glynn County - 47

  4. Appling County - 44

  5. Pierce County - 28

  6. Ware County - 16

Boys Highlights

  • Boys 200 Freestyle - Joshua Smith placed 2nd with a strong time of 2:09.05, scoring 7 points for the Gators.

  • Boys 50 Freestyle - Ware featured Alex Eaves (39.75) and J’Mariyus Burn (1:14.11).

  • Boys 100 Freestyle - Alex Eaves also represented Ware County here, finishing in 1:45.19.

  • Boys 100 Backstroke - Smith turned in one of the Gators’ top swims of the day, capturing 1st place with a time of 1:05.63, earning 9 points.

  • Boys 400 Freestyle Relay - Ware County did not field a team, while Valdosta claimed the event.

MEET OVERVIEW – COMBINED TEAM RESULTS

With strong depth across both the boys and girls divisions, Appling County topped the overall standings with a complete team effort.

Combined Standings

  1. Appling County - 138

  2. Valwood - 132

  3. Valdosta - 120

  4. Pierce County - 110

  5. Ware County - 73

  6. Glynn County - 56

The annual Gator Crawl Invitational once again provided a high-energy competitive environment and valuable mid-season experience for Ware County’s swimmers. The coaching staff praised the team's effort, noting technical improvements, competitive toughness, and growing confidence as the season progresses.

Ware County will now turn its attention to the next meet on the schedule as the Gators continue preparing for the championship phase of the season.

For more photos, please click the link below.

11/18/2025:  Ware County Swim Photos

For complete results, please click the link below.

11/18/2025:  Swim - Gator Crawl Results


Go Gators!

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