Youngsters Provide a Big Spark in Sarasota on Day 2

As the fog cleared in Sarasota Saturday morning, Stingray's older swimmers hit the pool to start off a long day of competition on the Gulf Coast. Wunyae Crawford got things started right for the older boys by chopping off 4 seconds in the 200 IM. Crawford also dropped half a second in the 50 freestyle as well.

Chris Courtis jumped for his first long course competition since CARIFTA of 2012 and swam a 2:15.47 in the 200IM, good for second place overall. Courtis also placed second overall in the 100 back, clocking a 1:02.60. Both times were massive PB's for Courtis, though they were just outside qualifying times for World Championships this summer in Barcelona. 

Alex McCallum, Cole Morgan and Chris all placed in the top 8 in the 100 back. McCallum came in 5th overall with Morgan taking 7th (2nd in the 15-16 age group). McCallum also gave a strong performance in the 50 freestyle, placing 5th again in a time of 26.87.

The action intensified as Stingrays younger swimmers hit the pool this afternoon though. It was a PB pain train from start to finish!

Monina Thompson started with a 9 second drop in the 100 freestyle, despite swimming with her goggles around her mouth the entire race. Not to be outdone, the 11-12 boys all made drops and moved up in the rankings as well. Krishna Adapa chopped off 2 seconds (1:31.65), as did Jonathan "Bobo" Anderson (1:12.3). Liam Henry knocked off 4 seconds for a 1:20.2 and Iain Macrae dropped 6 seconds for a 1:17.01.

Corey Westerborg went 3 for 3 today, dropping a second in the 50 back (44.3) and snagging 8th place, dropping 2 seconds in the 50 free (35.86) and 9 seconds in the 100 breaststroke (1:53.13). Fellow 9-10 swimmer Kameron Bennett, competing in his first Long Course competition put up competitive times as well and showed new strength in the longer pool!

Miquela Montana also put up three good swims in her first three long course endeavours. Montana beat her short course times in the 50 back and 100 breaststroke, winning her heat in the 100br. Close behind her was teammate Monina Thompson, who came in only 1 tick behind.

The 11-12 boys provided excitement again, all of whom swam on or better than their PB in both the 50 back and 50 free. Bobo Anderson finished the 50 fr in a time of 32.49, giving him his first A time standard in any event.

Just before the end of the session, Marisa Poole jumped in the water for the 100 breaststroke, lowering her current Stingray record of 2:26.10 by six seconds, finishing with a time of 2:20.3.

Great job today Stingray swimmers. More action to come tomorrow!