Stingray Brings Home 3rd Place From Jamaica
Stingray brought 23 swimmers to the Walter Rodgers Championship in Kingston, Jamaica. Tornadoes, Y-Speedos and Marlins Swim Club all brought more than 100. Yet it was quality that trumped quantity as Stingray's best came with an onslaught of first place finishes, record breaking performances and high-octane, pull-one-out-of-your-rear-end swims to bring home the trophy for 3rd Place overall.
It was the relays where the meet was won and lost, where Tornadoes, Y-Speedo'sand Marlins (first, second and fourth respectively) fielded over 30 teams each during the meet compared to our 5 (relays score double points). Yet Stingray came out ahead of Marlins and in the mix at the top of table. Even more exciting, SKY placed first overall in individual points! NEXT YEAR!!!! We know what we're up against!
SWIMS OF THE MEET
Jonathan Key and Catriona Macrae open the Championship with back to back victories in the 400 Freestyle. Jonathan's time of 4:26.06 landed him his first AAA time (almost quad A) and took down the seemingly invincible Sidrell Williams, Jamaica's freestyle star.
Allyson Belfonte and Corey Westerborg swam record breaking times for a second straight day, this time both in the 50 Freestyle. Allyson's time of 41.49 broke a record 10 years old while Corey's time of 33.22 took down the 9-10 boys record set just last year. Allyson placed third in the 8-Under Girls while Corey placed first overall in the 9-10 boys!
Alison and Sarah Jackson dropped an impressive pair of breaststroke performances. Alison hitting a AAA time of 37.74 in the 50 to go with her AAAA time in the 50 back. Sarah placing first in the 13-14 girls 100 Breaststroke in a time of 1:24.94.
The 15-Over Boys staged two unbelievable relay swims. With many of the boys having done more than 14 events over the weekend, the team of Cole Morgan, Simon Bulter, Iain McCallum and Andrew Smilley capped off the meet with another come-from-behind victory. Each of the boys, feeling ragged through a grueling schedule, dug in deep and swam times that eclipsed their times in the individual event. Smilley dropped 2 seconds from his 100 free the previous day, Cole Morgan dropped 3 seconds off his 100 back, Iain McCallum dropped 4 seconds off his 100 fly and Simon Butler dropped a whopping 7 seconds off his 100 breast from earlier in the day. Talk about pulling one out!
The 11-12 Girls relay of Danielle Seales, Miquela Montana, Alison Jackson and Ria Plunkett gave a simliarly awesome performance in their medley relay. Danielle dropped 6 seconds off her 100 backstroke time, Miquela dropped 3 seconds, Alison dropped 6 seconds and Ria dropped 2 more for a silver medal in the event. Ria swam 1:13 in her individual 100 freestyle, followed by a 1:11 in the 4free relay, followed by a 1:09 in the 4medley relay.
Jake Bailey, on the first night of competition, dropped 15 seconds in his 200 IM to place third overall. A bit of luck though for Snake as he did a full on flip turn from backstroke to breaststroke with a judge standing right over him. No DQ! Jake was pleased with that.
THANK YOU
To all the athletes who swam their hearts out for the team. To all the parents who cheered wildly for Stingray. To Sheena Westerborg for stepping on deck and volunteering as an official in both the Friday PM and Saturday AM sessions. To Derrick Westerborg for his role as team manager, tirelessly working while the kids rested day in and day out. To the Amateur Swim Association of Jamaica and our growing circle of friends in Jam Rock! It was another awesome excursion for all!
