The Ware County Gator Swim Team delivered a strong and competitive showing on Thursday, January 15, 2026, while competing on the road at the Region 1-AAAA Swimming Championships. Facing some of the top programs in the region.
Ware County finished third overall in the combined team standings with 70.5 points, highlighted by an impressive second-place finish in the girls team standings with 59 points. The boys team placed fourth overall.
Relay Success Sets the Tone
The meet opened with relay action, where the Gators immediately made their presence known. The girls 200-yard medley relay team of Kate Thorderson, Ava Bennett, Bailey Wyatt, and Amberley Padgett earned a second-place finish, providing an early boost to the Lady Gators.
On the boys’ side, Joshua Smith, Alex Eaves, Matthew Davis, and J’Mariyus Burn competed in the 200-yard medley relay, contributing points and setting the stage for the rest of the meet.
The Lady Gators continued their success in relay events by placing second in both the 200-yard freestyle relay and the 400-yard freestyle relay, showcasing teamwork and consistency throughout the day.
Standout Individual Performances
Ware County saw several swimmers rise to the occasion in individual events:
Bailey Wyatt claimed the region title in the girls 200-yard freestyle and followed it up with a second-place finish in the 100-yard butterfly, playing a major role in the team’s scoring.
Ava Bennett captured a first-place finish in the girls 500-yard freestyle, giving Ware County another regional championship.
Matthew Davis turned in a strong performance by placing third in the boys 200-yard individual medley and tying for second in the 100-yard butterfly.
Joshua Smith added points with a third-place finish in the boys 100-yard backstroke.
Kate Thorderson scored in both the 100-yard freestyle and 100-yard backstroke, while Ava Bennett, Karmyn Jones, Conleigh Steedley, Morgen Coffie, and Amberley Padgett all contributed valuable efforts across sprint, distance, and relay events.
Strong Team Finish
With points coming from across the lineup, Ware County’s balanced performance paid off, especially on the girls’ side, where the Lady Gators finished as Region 1-AAAA runners-up. The overall results reflect the team’s continued growth and competitiveness.
Next up for the Gators Swimmers is the Last Chance Qualifier on Saturday 1/24/2026 at the YMCA in Waycross. The meet is set to begin at 10:00 AM.
