It's that time of the year again when Orange County high schools converge at the Joint Forces Training Base in Los Alamitos for the 45th Southern Section CIF Millikan Relays Meet.  Just in case you're not familiar with the meet format each high school may enter only one relay per event.  A swimmer may enter a maximum of three relays, which must all be in the same division (Varsity, Frosh-Soph).  The top (16) sixteen Varsity division 1 & 2 teams will qualify (eight in finals and eight in the consolation finals).  Only the top eight Varsity division 3 & 4 teams will qualify for the finals.  A swimmer may not swim on a fourth relay in the finals even if one of his/her previous relays did not qualify.

The Northwood Timberwolves put up some very, very fast times, comparable to last season.  But there was University High School, 4 points ahead as the defending Millikan SS Relay champ from the Northwood team score going into the final medley relay event, and well ahead of strong teams from Corona del Mar, Mater Dei, and more.  The Northwood Timberwolves recorded 244 points to take the 2nd top spot.

Boys Team Scores:

1.  University  254              2.  Northwood 244             3.  Corona del Mar  206        4.  Mater Dei  180  

5.  Santa Margarita  174      6.  Newport Harbor  148      7.  Orange Lutheran  108       8.  Edison  105

The Timberwolves Varsity Boys squads placed first in 2 of 7 events, and five second places overall.

Highlights from this all relay meet were winning the 400 free relay, Peter Zhu, Cameron Hsieh, Hunter Hitchens, and anchor Judson Balding finished 3:09.30 in setting a new NHS school record.  The same Northwood crew followed that top win with another in the 6x60 free (2:12.23).  The Timberwolves proceeded to grind out five second place finishes during the evening in the 200 medley (1:37.44), 4x50 breast (1:53.00), 4x50 fly (1:37.30), and 4x50 back (1:40.69).  The last relay of the night was the 400 IM which Northwood placed fourth in 3:42.07.

Girls Team Scores:

1.  Santa Margarita  258              2.  Edison 226             3.  Foothill  176        4.  Corona del Mar  138  

5.  Irvine  134      6.  Mater Dei  122  

The Lady Timberwolves closed out the meet finishing fifth in the 300 free relay (2:37.05), sixth in the 200 breast relay (2:13.71), and seveth in the 200 fly relay (1:54.37), respectively.  "I'm very pleased with our performances this weekend," Coach Nieto said. "Our girls made 11 out of the 14 relays back, making them in the top eight.  We had some outstanding swims and I'm very excited about the season ahead.  We've got a very fast group and should have an outstanding upcoming dual meet season."