Duncan Swimming News Archive 2010
Personal bests in abundance
Don Bodger, Cowichan News Leader and Pictorial
Personal bests clear across the board are difficult to achieve, but the six Duncan Stingrays attending the island long course invitational at Saanich Commonwealth Pool did it.
Natalia Garriock, Eric Hartford, Laura Kissack, Haakon Koyote, Veronica Reid and Teddy Zinkan all bettered their previous fastest times in all events.
Garriock, 14, made a significant improvement of one minute and 15 seconds in her 400-metre freestyle and has been pre-selected for the B.C. Summer Games.
Personal bests all around in the pool
Kevin Rothbauer, The Citizen
It isn't very often that the Duncan Stingrays Swim Team records personal bests for everyone during an event, but that's exactly what happened at the Island Long Course Invitational in Saanich on May 14-16.
The Stingrays sent six swimmers to the meet, their first long course event of the season, and all six achieved personal records in every race.
"Some great races," said Stingrays head coach Leanne Sirup. "But for the most part, the Stingrays were winning their heats and climbing the rankings."
Women in Coaching Awards
Swim BC
Swim B.C. would like to announce that one of the recipients of the Women in Coaching Awards is Leanne Sirup of the Duncan Stingrays Swim Team.
Leanne has been the Head Coach of the Duncan Swim Team since August of 2007. She has been coaching for the greater part of the past decade with both Age Group and Masters level swimmers as an assistant coach.
Stingrays' Reid on the rise
Kevin Rothbauer, The Citizen
Duncan Stingrays swimmer Veronica Reid shot up the national rankings last month thanks to some remarkable performances at the Pan Pacific Trials in Montreal.
Reid, 17, went from 43rd in Canada to 28th in the 50m breaststroke, 48th to 37th in the 100m breaststroke, 62nd to 53rd in the 50m butterfly and 58th to 56th in the 50m freestyle.
"Veronica made great strides in her personal achievements due to the great amount of independence she was forced to display," Stingrays head coach Leanne Sirup commented.
Montreal meet places Reid among the swimming elite
Don Bodger, Cowichan News Leader and Pictorial
Duncan Stingrays’ Veronica Reid thought she might as well make the long trip to Montreal worthwhile.
The Grade 12 Cowichan Secondary School student entered four events in the Pan-Pacific swimming trials at the Claude Robillard Pool and made all four count.
Reid established three personal bests and set two Stingrays’ club records.
Slate of records tumbles
Don Bodger, Cowichan News Leader and Pictorial
Tamara Garriock just keeps getting faster.
Garriock, 17, the Duncan Stingrays phenom who’s in her last season with the club before going to CW Post Long Island University in New York, turned on the jets during the recent provincial AAA swimming championships in Victoria.
Remarkably, as long as Garriock’s been around, she keeps setting records — including a total of 14 club marks in one weekend and compiling a perfect slate of personal bests.
2010 Pan Pacific Trials LIVE Results
Swimming Canada
The fastest swimmers in Canada are competing for a spot on the National Team at the Complexe Sportif Claude Robillard in Montreal, QC. (March 31st - April 4th).
Selected swimmers will be competing at the Pan Pacific Championships in Irvine, California, USA Aug 18 - 22, 2010. The last Pan Pacific Games were held in Aug 2006 in Victoria, BC.
Follow the real time results of this meet including Stingrays swimmer Veronica Reid by clicking on the link below.
18&U Top 25 FINA Ranked Swims: 2009-2010 Short Course
Swim BC
Click on the link below to find the top 25 18&U FINA point swims done from October 01, 2009 - March 07, 2010. There are results from a number of different meets through the short course season. Some of the swimmers who have not posted a great swim for a while may not have been completely prepared for a meet and are saving their taper for Pan Pacific Trial to be held in Montreal March 31-April 03.
Tamara Garriock of the Duncan Stingrays Swim Team is ranked #15 in the Top 25 18&Under Female BC Short Course rankings.
Out with the old, in with the new at Stingrays March Time Trial
Kevin Rothbauer, The Citizen
The Duncan Stingrays swim team achieved some remarkable results during an in-house meet earlier this month.
Of the 23 Stingrays to take part in the Duncan Swim Team March Break Time Trial on March 7, nearly half achieved personal bests in all their events, and several swimmers took the opportunity to broaden their horizons.
The eleven swimmers who recorded personal bests in each of their races included Adara Atsma, Dominique Austin, Liam Buss, Felix Grosse, Cecilia Johnson, Laura Kissack, Chelsea Langelo, Amy Moorwood, Maria Murray, Esmee Zinkan and Robyn Zinkan.
Saskatoon trip takes nasty turn
Don Bodger, Cowichan News Leader and Pictorial
A harrowing trip didn’t seem to affect the performances of two Duncan Stingrays swimmers at the western nationals in Saskatoon in the least.
Coach Leanne Sirup joined swimmers Veronica Reid and Samantha Jory on a journey that turned out to be more than they bargained for.
During a layover in Calgary, the group found out its flight to Saskatoon was cancelled. Luckily, there was just enough time to make other arrangements so no events were missed.
Garriock Duncan's fastest
Kevin Rothbauer, The Citizen
In the entire history of competitive swimming in Duncan, no woman has ever swam faster than Tamara Garriock.
Not national team swimmer Leanne Wilkinson. Not five-time Olympian Alison Sheppard.
"I don't know how to stress this enough," said Duncan Stingrays head coach Leanne Sirup (née Wilkinson). "She is the fastest Duncan has ever had."
More success for 'Rays
Kevin Rothbauer, The Citizen
The Duncan Stingrays swim club had a remarkable showing at the provincial AA meet in early February, but the team didn't slow down after that.
Two of the top-ranked Stingrays attended Western Nationals in Saskatoon from Feb. 18-21. Five members of the club had qualified for the meet, but only Samantha Jory and Veronica Reid opted to take the trip. Both of the swimmers had strong showings, despite travel issues that stretched the eight-hour voyage to 32 hours.
Stingrays claim double gold in AA provincial relays
Kevin Rothbauer, The Citizen
A strong contingent of Duncan Stingrays swimmers traveled to the AA provincial championships in Penticton earlier this month, turning in an unprecedented performance.
Particularly impressive among the Stingrays' results were a pair of wins in the 13- and 14-year-old boys relay races, made even more astonishing by the presence of a 10-year-old swimmer on one of the teams.
"Teddy Zinkan held it together," assistant coach Bruce Clarke said of the youngest of the 10 swimmers the Duncan club sent to the AAs.
Ten swimmers summon doses of inner strength
Don Bodger, Cowichan News Leader and Pictorial
Duncan Stingrays got a lot of mileage out of the 10 swimmers who represented the club during the AA provincials in Penticton.
The five Stingrays’ boys and five girls put on quite a show.
"It’s the biggest group we’ve ever had to this event," said Stingrays’ assistant coach Bruce Clarke, who accompanied the swimmers to the meet.
Three Top 10 Youth Athletes in 2009 are Stingrays Swimmers
Don Bodger, Cowichan News Leader and Pictorial
Three members of the Duncan Stingrays are among the Cowichan Valley’s Top 10 Youth Athletes of the Year for 2009 as selected by the Cowichan News Leader Pictorial.
Ryan Cochrane, a bronze medalist in the 1,500 metres at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, was the guest speaker at a brunch honouring the athletes on Jan. 3 at the Cowichan Golf and Country Club. Cochrane also presented the athletes with their award certificates.
This article, highlighting the three swimmers who made the Top 10 Youth Athletes of the Year for 2009, was written by Don Bodger of the Cowichan News Leader and Pictorial exclusively for the Duncan Stingrays Swim Team website.
The write-up is available for viewing, printing and downloading and will also be available at the team's Facebook Page. To read more, follow the link below:
Team effort creates a memorable regional meet
Don Bodger, Cowichan News Leader and Pictorial
The Vancouver Island Regional Short Course Championship is all about teamwork.
For the organizers of the mammoth swim meet that took place Friday through Sunday at the Cowichan Aquatic Centre, it meant calling on a huge group of volunteers from the host Duncan Stingrays and the community to make sure everything ran like clockwork.
For the 27 Stingrays entered in the competition, it meant giving their all in every race to showcase the club in the best possible light and they exceeded expectations.
Youth Athlete of the Week Jan. 20, 2010 - Natalia Garriock
Don Bodger, Cowichan News Leader and Pictorial
Self-motivation is one of Natalia Garriock’s strongest traits.
Garriock, 13, a Grade 8 student at Quamichan Middle School, goes to swim practices five times a week.
"She’s coming on really well with her swimming," said Duncan Stingrays’ head coach Leanne Sirup.
"I have never had to push her in practice. She’s a really good kid. She knows how to balance sport with life."
Stingrays take it up a notch at home
Kevin Rothbauer, The Citizen
The Duncan Stingrays hadn't hosted the Vancouver Island Regional Short Course Swimming Championships since 1991, so it shouldn't be surprising that when the opportunity came around again last weekend, the team put in a terrific performance.
Eleven swimmers recorded personal bests in all their races at the Cowichan Aquatic Centre, while another eight did so in all but one of their events. In all, the Stingrays combined to set personal bests in 81 per cent of their races, a phenomenal number.
"If we get 60 per cent, then we're happy," said an elated head coach Leanne Sirup. "I think they were excited to race at their home pool. That was a big part of it. That and the dedication of the kids."
'Rays set for regionals
Kevin Rothbauer, The Citizen
For the first time in nearly two decades, the Duncan Stingrays will serve as hosts of the Vancouver Island Regional Short Course Swimming Championships this weekend.
From Friday to Sunday, more than 250 of the top young swimmers from across the Island will congregate at the Cowichan Aquatic Centre for the event, the highest-calibre competition on Vancouver Island outside of the AAA provincial meet in Victoria in March. That group will include 26 Stingrays, the largest contingent the Duncan club has ever sent to regionals -- four more than the 22 who qualified in 2001.
That number says a lot about the strength of the club, but coach Leanne Sirup feels it says even more about the individual swimmers.
Regional short course meet returns for the first time since 1991
Don Bodger, Cowichan News Leader and Pictorial
The Duncan Stingrays swim team is hosting the Vancouver Island regional short course championships Friday through Sunday at the Cowichan Aquatic Centre.
A total of 26 Stingrays will be racing. "The most we’ve ever had racing at the Vancouver Island regional short course was 22 swimmers way back in 1998," said head coach Leanne Sirup.
It’s also been a long time since Duncan hosted this event. "It’s been 19 years," said Sirup.
Four bests for Garriock at Oregon meet
Kevin Rothbauer, The Citizen
Tamara Garriock's first international swimming experience was a pretty successful one.
Representing Team BC at the Paul Bergen International Invitational in Beaverton, Ore., earlier this month, the 17-year-old Duncan Stingrays swimmer achieved four personal bests and set three club records, all while competing against the fastest swimmers in her age group from across the United States and Canada, and some European teams.
"It was probably one of the biggest meets I've been to," she said. "There wasn't a ton of people there, but they were all fast people."
Duncan Swimming News Archive 2009
Training sets up triathlete
Don Bodger, Cowichan News Leader and Pictorial
An amazing work ethic has made Cowichan Bay’s Christine Ridenour one of Canada’s best young triathletes.
The Grade 12 Cowichan Secondary School student devotes herself to training year-round and often competes in the separate components of swimming, biking and running as a way of improving for the complete package.
Ridenour’s year began in Australia with five other Canadian athletes, including four from the National Triathlon Centre in Victoria. She came fifth in the Australian Youth Olympic Festival triathlon.
Keeping her cool in the pool intensifies opportunities
Don Bodger, Cowichan News Leader and Pictorial
Tamara Garriock is a remarkable athlete who quietly and confidently continues to exceed her own high standards.
The longtime Duncan Stingrays swim team member keeps setting the bar higher, even when it seems she’s already reached the pinnacle.
Last season was a case in point when she established an incredible 17 club records. Overall, Garriock owns 46 DST records ranging from the 10 and under age category through each of the 11-12, 13-14, 15-17 and open age divisions.
Swimmer hits the fast lane
Don Bodger, Cowichan News Leader and Pictorial
The past year has brought many exciting experiences, says Duncan Stingrays swim team member Veronica Reid.
"I was able to attend both the B.C. provincial championships and Canadian age group championships for the fifth consecutive year, and as a result of attaining my senior national time standard in the summer of 2008, I earned the opportunity to race against the best swimmers in the country at the 2009 World Championship trials," pointed out the Grade 12 Cowichan Secondary School student.
"Competing with this elite group of swimmers allowed me to see how good the top Canadian swimmers are, and what it’s going to take for me to reach that level."
A day just for the Stingrays
Kevin Rothbauer, The Citizen
As the hosts of the Vancouver Island Regional Short Course Swimming Championships in January, the Duncan Stingrays want to have as many of their own swimmers in contention as possible.
With one last chance to qualify for the regional meet, the Stingrays jumped into the pool for DST Day last Saturday, and four swimmers emerged with qualifying times.
Justin Garrow, 13, hit the AA mark in the 100m backstroke; Eric Hartford, also 13, did so in the 100m breaststroke; Rosie Lee, 12, qualified in the 100m backstroke; and Montana Prystupa, 10, made the time in the 100m freestyle.
Garriock a contender against top Canadian and U.S. swimmers
Don Bodger, Cowichan News Leader and Pictorial
Duncan Stingrays’ swimmer Tamara Garriock turned in some outstanding efforts duirng the Paul Bergen Junior International meet, hosted by the Tualatin Hills Swim Club, in Oregon.
Garriock was selected as one of six Team B.C. swimmers in the 17-18-year-old age group. She attained four personal bests in a field that included many of the top 18 and younger age-group swimmers in Canada and the U.S.
Garriock broke three club records at the meet. Among them was her own 100-metre free mark that she reduced to 58.46 seconds from 58.96.
Swimmers meet standard
Don Bodger, Cowichan News Leader and Pictorial
An invasion of Duncan Stingrays created quite a stir at the Campbell River Killer Whales Winter Classic regional swim meet.
Two Stingrays achieved their first AA qualifying standard. Maria Murray made it for 10 and under regional AA in the 50-metre breaststroke and Haakon Koyote met the 12-year-old provincial AA standard in the 200 breast.
Murray placed second during the meet in the 50 breast. Koyote grabbed first in the 200 breast and 50 free, with a second in the 50 breast.
Stingrays take it to another level
Kevin Rothbauer, The Citizen
For a number of the Duncan Stingrays swimmers who took part in the Richmond FastSwim Classic earlier this month, it was their first taste of competition at such a high level -- where most of the participants are looking to achieve a national standard. They discovered a much different racing environment than what they are used to. In the words of Stingray Dominique Austin, "more focused but way more exciting."
Along with Chelsea Langelo and Eli Ogihara-Kertz, Austin was one of three first-time competitors in the meet. They were joined by Duncan teammates Natalia Garriock, Samantha Jory, Drake McKay, Veronica Reid and Christine Ridenour.
Split seconds separate speedy selection of super swimmers
Don Bodger, Cowichan News Leader and Pictorial
Duncan Stingrays who’ve been there before already knew and the newcomers found out rather quickly that swimming fast in the Richmond Fastswim Classic is necessary for survival.
With a field of 425 top swimmers from all over B.C., the eight Stingrays in attendance had to put their best on the line every race.
"Our swimmers fared very well," said Stingrays’ coach Leanne Sirup.
Strong showing from school swimmers
Kevin Rothbauer, The Citizen
With the support of the Duncan Stingrays Swim Team, four Cowichan Valley schools enjoyed a successful high school swimming season, which came to an end last month.
Cowichan Secondary, Frances Kelsey and Duncan Christian were among 30 Vancouver Island schools to take part in regional qualifiers in Nanaimo on Nov. 1. Swimmers from Lake Cowichan Secondary were a little late getting organized for the season, but plan to have a team in the pool next year.
Swimmers who placed in the top five at the qualifiers went on to represent their schools at the provincial championships. Cowichan Secondary was led by Tamara Garriock, who coach Bruce Clarke called "the best female school swimmer on Vancouver Island." Garriock won three events and placed second in her fourth. Cow High earned an eighth-place team finish at regionals, boosted by the performances of Drake McKay, who had four top-five finishes, and Veronica Reid, who placed third in the breaststroke.
World record and gold medal for Brian Hill at Para swimming world championships
Swimming Canada, Website
Visually impaired swimmer Brian Hill of Duncan, B.C., broke his world short course record and won the gold medal on Tuesday in the men’s 100-metre butterfly at the Para-swimming world championships for swimmers with a disability.
Hill, a three-time Paralympic Games team member, clocked 57.04 seconds lowering his S13 disability category world mark of 1:00.52. In 2007, Hill had tied fellow Canadian Walter Wu’s record set in 2003. It was Canada’s first gold of the competition. After three days the Canadian team has seven medals – one gold, two silver and four bronze.
Runners wear off calories on Fast Food Run
Don Bodger, Cowichan News Leader and Pictorial
A little sun would have been nice, but at least it wasn’t pouring rain.
That helped attract a sizeable crowd for the second annual Fast Food Run Sunday at McAdam Park. Participants had a choice of a two-kilometre or five-kilometre walking/running route.
It gave people a chance to get rid of the cobwebs from being stuck inside the house during all the inclement weather recently.
Fine showing for Stingrays at home meet
Kevin Rothbauer, The Citizen
With 48 swimmers competing, Duncan Stingrays made up nearly a third of the field in the VanIsle Regional meet at the Cowichan Aquatic Centre on Nov. 14.
Seven other Island clubs also attended the competition, with two journeying from Victoria, and one each from Ladysmith, Nanaimo, Qualicum Beach, Port Alberni and Campbell River.
Of the 48 Stingrays, seven were taking part in their first meet for the Duncan club. Making their debuts were Lalaine Gower, Alexia Grelson, Karis Jonat, Tembi Jonat, Karly Longridge, Elleni Malherbe and Savanah Van Nieukerk.
Christine Ridenour
Don Bodger, Cowichan News Leader and Pictorial
Swimming is just one phase of Christine Ridenour’s athletic prowess.
Ridenour, seen in action during the Duncan Stingrays’ regional meet, also is prolific at running and cycling as part of the complete triathlon package.
Pool prowess shows in Stingrays
Don Bodger, Cowichan News Leader and Pictorial
Duncan Stingrays put 48 swimmers in the water, nearly one-third of the entry, for Island regional meet No. 2 at the Cowichan Aquatic Centre.
The one-day meet featured 150 representatives of clubs from Duncan, two Victoria teams, Ladysmith, Nanaimo, Qualicum, Port Alberni and Campbell River.
The Stingrays had seven first-time competitors in the meet, including: Lalaine Gower, Alexia Grelson, twins Karis and Tembi Jonet, Karly Longridge, Elleni Malherbe and Savanah Van Nieuwkerk.
Ridenour third in cross country
Don Bodger, Cowichan News Leader and Pictorial
The B.C. high school girls’ cross country championship is obviously not easy to win, but Cowichan’s Christine Ridenour came close.
Grade 12 student Ridenour was leading for much of the race before eventually placing behind two Grade 9 girls. Alex Siemens of Mouat was first in 17:07.11, Tanya Humeniuk of Killarney second in 17:11.26 and Ridenour third in 17:13.43 in a field of 285 girls during the 4,400-metre run Saturday at Surrey.
“Although I wanted to win, I gave it everything I had and ran an awesome race,’’ noted Ridenour.
Personal bests in abundance
Don Bodger, Cowichan News Leader and Pictorial
Duncan Stingrays started the new season with 24 swimmers attending the Nanaimo Riptides fall invitational meet.
The team welcomed three newcomers into the fold: Athena Bolyos, 14; Olivia Campbell, 9; and Felix Grosse, 13.
Thirteen swimmers achieved a perfect slate of personal best times. That group included: Adara Atsma, 14; Amber Bell, 15; Fraser Fulton, 12; Cecilia Johnson, 10; Laura Kissack, 12; Savanah Munzar, 13; Maria Murray, 10; Eli Ogihara-Kertz, 14; James Ogihara-Kertz, 10; Sydney Rhoades, 13; Kristin Ross, 12; Esmee Zinkan, 12; and Teddy Zinkan, 10.
Ridenour legs out girls’ win
Don Bodger, Cowichan News Leader and Pictorial
Winning a cross country meet is no easy feat considering the strength and sheer numbers of competitors on the island.
But Cowichan Secondary School’s Christine Ridenour is the cream of the crop in her age group anywhere, never mind just the island, and proved that during the island school cross country meet at Victoria’s Beaver Park.
H1N1 Information for Sports Orginizations
Leanne Sirup, DST Head Coach
The symptoms of the H1N1 flu virus in people are similar to the symptoms of regular seasonal influenza and include high fever, cough, headache, general aches, fatigue, eye pain, shortness of breath, and lack of appetite. Some people with the H1N1 flu have also reported runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
Flu viruses spread from person to person mainly through droplets from the coughing or sneezing of a sick person. Flu viruses may also be spread when a person touches something contaminated with the virus and then touches his or her eyes, nose or mouth.
With the recent publicity surrounding the spread and health risks associated with the H1N1 virus, the BC Ministry of Healthy Living and Sport has released a fact sheet for sporting organizations...
Second Annual "Fast" Food Run
Christine Ridenour, DST Executive
The second annual "Fast" Food Run is being held on November 22nd in McAdams Park on Wharncliffe Road, Duncan. There is a 2km walk/run at 10:30am and a 5km run at 11:00am.
The event is to raise food and money for the Cowichan Valley Basket Society and as admission to the event you are to bring a non-parishable food item.
Volunteers are still needed. If you would like to volunteer, please e-mail Christine Ridenour and let her know. There will be snacks and door prizes after!
Stingrays Swimmer selected to Swim BC Training Camp
Leanne Sirup, DST Head Coach
Congratulations to Stingrays Swimmer Tamara Garriock for being chosen to participate in the upcoming Provincial Youth & Junior Training Camp (Oct 24 - 26) being held in Richmond, BC.
Only 6 swimmers per age from across the Province of British Columbia were selected based on their Long Course performances from late last season.
Selected swimmers attending the Fall Camp may also be invited to compete at the prestigious Paul Bergen Short Course Championships (Dec 10 - 14) being held in Tualatin Hills, Oregon.
Garriock leads Stingrays' club record spree
Don Bodger, Cowichan News Leader and Pictorial
Tamara Garriock accomplished more in one season than most swimmers will achieve in their entire careers.
Garriock, 17, established 17 individual club records during the 2008-09 season, including Alison Sheppard’s 1999 mark in the 200-metre individual medley. She also played a part in two relay records.
Garriock’s performances highlighted the Stingrays’ unveiling of award winners last Friday night.
Munzar victorious in Kelowna
Don Bodger, Cowichan News Leader and Pictorial
Maya Munzar’s a year older, wiser, fitter and stronger than the last time she raced in the Kelowna Apple Triathlon, the Kids of Steel Western Canadian championship.
The results showed as Munzar, 14, of Cobble Hill moved up from second last year to first in the girls’ 14-15-year-old division.
"I felt great all the way through,’’ said Munzar. “It was great weather. It wasn’t too hot and it wasn’t too cold."
Ridenour proudly wears Canada Games gold medal
Don Bodger, Cowichan News Leader and Pictorial
The debut of triathlon at the Canada Summer Games brought plenty of personal gratification for the valley’s Christine Ridenour.
She shared in triathlon gold with Team B.C. members Alison Hooper and Kyla Coates and narrowly missed winning another medal in Prince Edward Island after finishing fourth in the women’s individual event.
No stopping valley-schooled wunderkind
Krista Siefken, Cowichan News Leader and Pictorial
At 15 years old, Martin Riedel was the Cowichan Valley’s youngest high school graduate this year.
But his notoriety doesn’t end there.
The international student from Frankfurt, Germany left the hallways of Frances Kelsey Secondary School for summer schooling that was nowhere near remedial.
Amber Bell wins 1/4 mile race at Youbou Regatta
Sarah Simpson, Cowichan Valley Citizen
Something was missing from the waters of Cowichan Lake this year. It was Laura Harris and her open water marathon swim.
"The open water swim was cancelled because it's founder passed away," said Katherine Worsley, of the Cowichan Lake District Chamber of Commerce.
Harris succumbed to her battle with cancer in June at the age of 53.
Stingrays exceptional at AA provincials
Kevin Rothbauer, Cowichan Valley Citizen
The five members of the Duncan Stingrays Swim Team who complete at the provincial AA championships in Surrey last month responded to the high-level event with 65 per cent personal best times.
Sydney Rhoades, Britnie Hearsey, Eric Hartford, Nicole Fredrickson, Laura Kissack and Martin Riedel, all between the ages of 11 and 15, swam at the competition, and achieved many of their best results of the season.
Duncan trio makes splash at Zajac meet
Sarah Simpson, Cowichan Valley Citizen
The 2009 Mel Zajac Jr. International Invitational swim meet is one of the top swim meets around.
"This meet was actually a higher level than the Canadian Senior Nationals," said Stingrays coach Leanne Sirup. "It was a huge meet."
Stingrays make the AAA-grade
Kevin Rothbauer, Cowichan Valley Citizen
They were the little team that could.
The Duncan Stingrays were the top small team (less than 10 swimmers) at the Team Aquatic Supplies BC AAA Championships, held in Victoria from Feb. 26-Mar. 1. With eight swimmers at the meet, the Stingrays were dwarfed in numbers by clubs like Vancouver's Pacific Dolphins, who had 95 swimmers at the meet. Not to be outdone, however, the Stingrays put up some impressive results at the meet, which is the highest level of competition before swimmers make the jump to nationals.
Comox A-level meet gives young swimmers a boost
Kevin Rothbauer, Cowichan Valley Citizen
There are provincial-level swim meets at the AA and AAA levels, but nothing of that magnitude for single-A swimmers.
A move to change that is under way on Vancouver Island, and got its start last month with the first annual Comox Valley Invitational on Feb. 21 and 22.
"Their goal is to have an A-level championship meet," said Stingrays head coach Leanne Sirup. "There are a lot of kids at that level who haven't made AA yet."
National competition doesn't phase 'Rays
Kevin Rothbauer, Cowichan Valley Citizen
The two Duncan Stingrays swimmers who attended the Western Canadian Nationals meet in Edmonton late last month were well aware of the nature of the challenge they were up against, according to their coach, which made the event that much easier for them.
"I don't think they were intimidated," said Leanne Sirup after she returned from the meet with swimmers Veronica Reid and Samantha Jory. "They knew it would be a tough competition going in, and they did the best they could."
Stingrays make big impression at regionals
Kevin Rothbauer, Cowichan Valley Citizen
The Duncan Stingrays put in yet another excellent performance at the Vancouver Island Regional Short Course Swimming Championships in Comox from Jan. 16 to 18.
The Stingrays took 14 swimmers to the meet, and the majority of them had notable results. Three swimmers -- Tawney Geddes, Maya Munzar and Savanah Munzar -- set personal bests in all of their races, while three more -- Samantha Jory, Desirae Ridenour, Caitlin Saulsgiver -- did so in all but one of their events.
Stingrays start 2009 with successful meet
Kevin Rothbauer, Cowichan Valley Citizen
The Duncan Stingrays got the New Year off to an excellent start with a series of strong performances at the Tsunami New Year Kickoff regional level held in meet in Port Alberni on Jan. 11.
Of the 16 swimmers that attended the meet, nine achieved personal bests in all their races, including Courtney Rhoades, 15; Alexander Pleva, 12; Chelsea Langelo, 18; Laura Kissack, 11; Jeremy Kissack, 9; Tawney Geddes, 10; Justin Garrow, 12; Amber Bell, 14; and Dominique Austin, 14.
Duncan Swimming News Archive 2008
Cowichan swimmers make splash at B.C.'s
Kevin Rothbauer, Cowichan Valley Citizen
Cowichan Secondary had perhaps its best-ever individual swimming performances at the provincial high school championships in Richmond last month, with Tamara Garriock qualifying for the British Columbia finals in each of her four events and Veronica Reid doing so in two races.
Along with Christine Ridenour and Drake McKay, Reid and Garriock were two of four Cowichan swimmers to qualify for the provincial meet, while four others -- Thomas Gilbertson, Kieran Hartford, Caitlin Saulsgiver and Courtney Rhodes -- qualified for Frances Kelsey. Only Garriock and Reid attended, however, as McKay came down with an injury prior to the meet, Ridenour had conflicting triathlon commitments, and the young Kelsey team opted to focus on next season.
Stingrays break in Cowichan pool
Kevin Rothbauer, Cowichan Valley Citizen
It was a day of firsts for the Duncan Stingrays on Nov. 15 when the team hosted a regional meet at the Cowichan Aquatic Centre.
Not only was it the first club competition at the Cowichan Valley's new pool, it also marked the first meet for several Stingrays swimmers.
Georrence Atsma, Amber Bell, Andrew Bernatchez, Caden Bruneau, Jocelyn Doskotch, Mariah Fontana, Fraser Fulton, Hunter Laughland, Jordana Lee, Elizabeth Morgan, Montana Prystupa and April Schlienz all had breakthrough performances in their competition debut.
Strong start to season for Stingrays swimmers
Kevin Rothbauer, Cowichan Valley Citizen
The Duncan Stingrays opened their 2008/09 season with a splash last weekend, stunning the competition and picking up where they left off at the end of last season.
Of the 18 swimmers that attended the regional meet in Comox, 11 came away with 100 percent best times.
Hayward nabs Premier's Award
Kevin Rothbauer, Cowichan Valley Citizen
A talented athlete who has turned in remarkable performances in several sports over the past season, Duncan's Katelyn Hayward will be recognized for her efforts by none other than the Premier of British Columbia.
The 13-year-old swimmer and runner will receive an Award of Excellence this Sunday at the BC Athletics Awards Banquet in Vancouver after being selected as one of the top young athletes in B.C.
Stingrays set for another strong year
Kevin Rothbauer, Cowichan Valley Citizen
With a new pool ready to swim in and another successful year in the books, the Duncan Stingrays Swim Club is anxious for the new season to begin.
"We're completely excited," said Stingrays coach Leanne Sirup.
Between the new Cowichan Aquatic Centre, which is scheduled to open later this month, and the fascinating performances at the Summer Olympics, interest in the club has also increased, said the coach.
About Us
The purpose of Duncan Stingrays Swim Team is to develop competitive swimmers as athletes and people. We understand that the real meaning of winning is to reach ones own potential, not the place of a swimmers finish. We strive to not only produce swimming champions but champions in life.
Our Mission
The mission of the Duncan Stingrays Swim Team is to embrace all levels of swimmers and provide each swimmer with the tools and opportunity to achieve any goal they may set. Every swimmer will enjoy success with hard work, dedication, and support from teammates, coaches and parents. Our members participate in meets sanctioned by Swim BC and are governed by Swimming/Natation Canada rules and regulations. The Duncan Stingrays Swim Team ascribes to a well-defined program where each swimmer is encouraged to gradually increase their degree of commitment to achieve success at all levels of training. The team provides an environment and an opportunity for young people to learn, to enjoy and to compete with an eye toward long term results.
