One of seven area swimmers to qualify for the finals, Bayan Ballew of the Manteca Dolphins won two events and challenged for a high-point trophy in the 21st Sacramento Valley Meet of Champions held July 29-30 at Vista del Lago High in Folsom.

Ballew was a force in the boys 13-14 division, totaling 71 points — a mere four points shy of third-place Ryder Sirianni of the Woodcreek Seawolves. Drew Fetzer of Del Norte Dolphins is the high-point champion with 94 points.

Ballew came away with two first-place finishes and two new program records.

He shattered 10-year-old records previously held by Scott Tolman in the preliminary races for the 50-yard freestyle (22.49 seconds) and 50 butterfly (25.31). In the ‘A’ finals, he won the 50 free in 22.81 and finished fourth in the 50 fly in 25.97.

Ballew also won the 100 free ‘A’ final in 50.64 and third in the 50 backstroke ‘A’ final in 28.85.

Alexia Nuno advanced to two ‘B’ finals in the girls 9-10 division, taking third in the 25 free (14.33) and 15th in the 50 free (32.87). Jazzy Martinez made the 50 fly ‘A’ final and placed eighth in 32.30. Dominic Bossen finished 12th in the boys 13-14 50 breast in 32.22.

The Ripon Sea Lions had three finalists.

In the girls 11-12 division, Vianna Hopper qualified for two ‘A’ finals and took third in the 50 backstroke (32.79) and seventh in the 50 free (28.61). Hollins Fasani ended up 10th in the 100 individual medley ‘B’ final, posting a time of 1 minute, 14.69 seconds.

Sara Davis made the girls 7-8 ‘A’ finals in the 25 back (21.27) and 50 free (35.84).