KINGSLAND, GA – The Ware County Gators and Lady Gators Swim Teams opened their 2026–2027 competition season on Thursday, October 29, 2026, traveling to Camden County to compete in the CCHS Spooktacular Swim Meet. The event featured a competitive field of schools from across Southeast Georgia and the coastal region, giving Ware County swimmers an opportunity to compete in individual and relay events.
The Gators and Lady Gators combined to earn 17 team points, finishing eighth overall in the combined team standings. The Lady Gators collected 11 points, tying McIntosh County Academy for sixth place in the girls' standings, while the Gators earned six points to finish seventh in the boys' competition.
Richmond Hill High School claimed the top spot in all three scoring categories, finishing with 489.5 combined points, 295.5 girls' points, and 194 boys' points.
Lady Gators Swim Team Highlights
The Lady Gators were led by several solid individual performances, highlighted by Mara Crawford's sixth-place finish in the 200-yard individual medley.
Mara Crawford recorded a time of 2:59.59 in the 200-yard individual medley, earning three team points. Crawford also competed in the 50-yard freestyle, finishing tied for 27th with a time of 36.48 seconds.
Kate Thorderson turned in two competitive performances, finishing 13th in the 100-yard freestyle with a time of 1:12.47 and tying for ninth in the 100-yard backstroke with a time of 1:25.13.
Bailey Wyatt competed in the 50-yard freestyle, finishing 26th in 36.03 seconds, and added a 19th-place finish in the 100-yard freestyle with a time of 1:23.57.
Marley Crews finished 23rd in the 50-yard freestyle with a time of 35.72 seconds and 14th in the 100-yard backstroke with a time of 1:50.06.
Additional Lady Gators competing in individual events included Mia McDowell, Karmyn Jones, and Lilith Johnson.
The Lady Gators also competed in three relay events during the meet.
In the 200-yard medley relay, Mara Crawford, Mia McDowell, Bailey Wyatt, and Karmyn Jones finished 10th with a time of 2:44.56.
The 200-yard freestyle relay team of Lilith Johnson, Karmyn Jones, Marley Crews, and Kate Thorderson recorded a time of 2:53.47.
One of the Lady Gators' top team performances came in the 400-yard freestyle relay, where Bailey Wyatt, Mia McDowell, Marley Crews, and Kate Thorderson finished fifth overall with a time of 5:38.72, earning eight team points.
Gators Swim Team Highlights
On the boys' side, the Gators were led by Joshua Smith, who recorded Ware County's top individual finish of the meet.
Joshua Smith finished fifth in the 200-yard individual medley with a time of 2:47.31, earning four team points. Smith also competed in the 100-yard breaststroke, finishing ninth with a time of 1:25.38.
Jackson Cornelius competed in the 50-yard freestyle, finishing 17th with a time of 30.16 seconds. He also finished 13th in the 100-yard backstroke with a time of 1:34.79.
Fletcher James finished 24th in the 50-yard freestyle with a time of 36.03 seconds and 23rd in the 100-yard freestyle with a time of 1:25.78.
Waylon Gourley competed in the 50-yard freestyle, finishing 26th with a time of 37.69 seconds.
Additional Gator swimmers competing in individual events included Akeem Gibson and J'Mariyus Burns.
The Gators also participated in two relay events.
In the 200-yard medley relay, Jackson Cornelius, Akeem Gibson, Joshua Smith, and Fletcher James finished eighth overall with a time of 2:37.04, earning two team points.
The 200-yard freestyle relay team of Jackson Cornelius, Waylon Gourley, Fletcher James, and Joshua Smith finished ninth with a time of 2:08.83.
Ware County Individual Results
Lady Gators
Swimmer | Event | Place | Time |
Mara Crawford | 200 IM | 6th | 2:59.59 |
Mara Crawford | 50 Free | T-27th | 36.48 |
Kate Thorderson | 100 Free | 13th | 1:12.47 |
Kate Thorderson | 100 Back | T-9th | 1:25.13 |
Bailey Wyatt | 50 Free | 26th | 36.03 |
Bailey Wyatt | 100 Free | 19th | 1:23.57 |
Marley Crews | 50 Free | 23rd | 35.72 |
Marley Crews | 100 Back | 14th | 1:50.06 |
Mia McDowell | 50 Free | T-27th | 36.48 |
Mia McDowell | 100 Breast | 20th | 2:08.53 |
Karmyn Jones | 50 Free | 34th | 40.47 |
Karmyn Jones | 100 Free | 25th | 1:40.72 |
Lilith Johnson | 50 Free | 41st | 1:01.94 |
Lilith Johnson | 100 Free | 30th | 2:33.72 |
Gators
Swimmer | Event | Place | Time |
Joshua Smith | 200 IM | 5th | 2:47.31 |
Joshua Smith | 100 Breast | 9th | 1:25.38 |
Jackson Cornelius | 50 Free | 17th | 30.16 |
Jackson Cornelius | 100 Back | 13th | 1:34.79 |
Fletcher James | 50 Free | 24th | 36.03 |
Fletcher James | 100 Free | 23rd | 1:25.78 |
Waylon Gourley | 50 Free | 26th | 37.69 |
Akeem Gibson | 50 Free | 27th | 48.07 |
Akeem Gibson | 100 Free | 24th | 2:04.74 |
J'Mariyus Burns | 50 Free | 28th | 1:00.17 |
J'Mariyus Burns | 100 Free | 25th | 2:24.80 |
Building Toward the Season Ahead
Thursday's Spooktacular provided valuable early-season competition for the Ware County swimming program. With athletes competing across multiple individual events and relays, the meet offered an opportunity to establish times, gain experience, and identify areas for continued improvement.
The Gators and Lady Gators will look to build on these performances as they continue preparing for a busy 2026-2027 swim season.
Up Next: Gators and Lady Gators Travel to Appling County
The Ware County Gators and Lady Gators Swim Teams will return to competition on Saturday, November 14, 2026, when they travel to Appling County for another multi-team swim meet.
Competition is scheduled to begin at 9:00 AM in Baxley, Georgia.
Gator Nation is encouraged to continue supporting these student-athletes as they represent Ware County High School throughout the swimming season.
For additional athletic schedules, results, and updates, follow Ware County Gator Nation on social media and visit www.ware.k12.ga.us.
GO GATORS!