Stingray swimmers shine at Mike Lockwood Invite!

It was an excellent weekend of swimming and fun at the Lion's Aquatic Center, highlighted by fast races, big drops and surly pirates!

 
Even over the course of three grueling days back to back to back, four swimmers clocked personal bests in every single event: Sam Bailey, Cole Morgan, Ria Plunkett and Brandon Williams. Several others were only one event off from going 100%, while others clocked all personal best's with a couple of disqualifications. Every single swimmer posted personal bests in at least one event. And finally, there were swimmers who've been stuck on a plateau who were able to make positive steps and hit PB's, some very large! All in all, a very positive experience start to finish.
 
As I told the kids, the most exciting things to see were...
  1. Huge time drops, indicating kids are starting to swim toward their potential
  2. Younger swimmers becoming more technically focused (i.e. streamlining off walls, doing their underwater kicks, balanced breathing, kicking, etc.)
  3. An elevated level of team spirit and camaraderie among old and young swimmers
SWIMS OF THE MEET
 
Hard not to give props again to  Sam Bailey, who cruised to four 1st place finishes in her age group and reached her first AA time in the 50 freestyle at 30.91. Sam also was the top 11-12 girl in the 200m backstroke.
 
Cole Morgan dropped 6 seconds in his 200 backstroke to post his first AAA time in 2:19.83, giving him his second qualifying time for CARIFTA.
 
Despite crashing and burning a bit in the 200 distance,  Elliot Vernon rallied back to become the 9th Stingray swimmer to qualify for CARIFTA, posting a personal best of 58.42 in the 100 freestyle.
 
But the most exciting race of the weekend goes to  Alex Dakers, who dropped 6 seconds in his 100 Breaststroke and chased down the leader in the last 25 meters, coming from more than a body length behind to win the race by a fingernail.
 
 
On top of all the good news, two more team records fell again this weekend at the hands of Ali Jackson and Corey Westerborg. Ali broke the 50 freestyle record for 9-10 girls which had stood since 2000, and Corey broke the 50 backstroke record for 8-Under boys which was in place since 2003.
 
More records to fall soon, more blazing fast swims coming right up, and more Stingray spirit as we move this train forward!