Stingray holds Pete Ribbins swim meet
Competitors at the start of their backstroke event
(CNS): The Stingray Swim Club (SSC) recently hosted the Pete Ribbins Consolidated Water Meet, which was a CARIFTA 2016 qualifying event for members of the National Junior Swim Team. Held 29-31 January at the Lions Aquatic Centre, the meet also featured athletes from the Camana Bay Aquatic Club (CBAC), Seven Mile Swimmers, Cayman Islands Special Olympics and swim schools.
A number of CARIFTA-qualifying swims were completed, but the team selection does not take place until after the Cayman Islands Amateur Swimming Association Nationals, which began yesterday (11 February) and run until 14 February, and the 5K qualifying sea swim on 20 February.
For the Pete Ribbins meet, the longer distance events – 800m and 1500m freestyle – took place Friday evening, and the middle distance races – 200m and 400m – and team relays were held Saturday and Sunday.
Stingray’s head coach David Pursley who, along with coach Tim Leonhart, has been with the club for a year, said. “Though it was a busy weekend around the island, this meet served a great purpose leading into the CIASA national championships and the final stages of the season.”
“As coaches, we were able to identify both physiological and technical adjustments that need to be made moving forward. The best way to find out where the athletes are in training is to step them up on the blocks and watch them respond to the challenge. A little more speed work and rest in the coming weeks will go a long way for our senior swimmers.”
He then turned to the younger athletes. “The younger age groups saw one of the most evenly matched competitions between the three teams this past weekend. The relays in the younger age groups really brought spirit and enthusiasm to the sessions. You could see some healthy rivalries being formed in the 10 and under sessions that will help fuel them for years to come,” he said.
Meet director Brenda McGrath thanked the many volunteers who made the meet possible. “Each session requires over 30 volunteers to officiate, time and run concesssions – we could not produce these meets, allowing our swimmers to gain experience and swim official times, without our volunteers and we are extremely thankful to all of them for coming out and working, and we thank the parents who came out to cheer on the swimmers, too.”
Kathy Jackson, SSC president, added, “The Pete Ribbins Memorial Consolidated Water Meet was a resounding success by all accounts. We are grateful to Consolidated Water who have continued their sponsorship of this swim meet in Pete Ribbins’ name. Pete was an athlete and he knew firsthand how much discipline and commitment it takes to succeed in sports – he would be very proud to see so many children taking part in this meet.”
High Points Awards earned at the meet – Girls: 8 & under, Lila Higgo (CBAC); 9-10, Allyson Belfonte (SSC); 11-12, Sabine Ellison (CBAC); 13-14, Ali Jackson (SSC); and 15 & over, Lauren Hew (CBAC). Boys: 8 & under, Dominic Gunn (SSC); 9-10, Stefano Bonati (CBAC); 11-12, Corey Westerborg (SSC); 13-14, Jordan Crooks, (SSC); and 15 & over, Cole Morgan (SSC).
