BAYSIDE STINGRAYS WIN 5TH NEW ENGLAND SENECY CHAMPIONSHIP
TEAM ADVANCES TO NATIONALS IN NORTH CAROLINA
BOSTON, MA – March 1, 2020 – The Bayside Family YMCA Stingray swim team clinched their 5th consecutive regional title at the Southern New England YMCA Championships this weekend at Boston University’s Fitness and Recreational Center.
The three-day competition drew over 1500 swimmers ranging from ages six to eighteen from Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Connecticut. The Bayside YMCA Stingrays took the overall team championship by 900 points bringing several record-breaking moments and new qualifications.
Leading the team to victory were swim coach veterans Jen and Ray Baker along with a stellar coaching staff of seven. “We can’t say enough how proud we are,” said Ray Baker. “They came to race from the youngest to oldest. Our younger swimmers come with so much energy and excitement,” Baker said. “The older swimmers performed exceptionally well even after winning states the night before. They are all incredible athletes,” said Baker.
The Bayside Stingrays came out on top across all age groups in both boys and girls. 8 and under boys and girls placed 2nd overall with only seven boys competing. The 9 and 10 boys and girls also placed 2nd. This was followed by a strong session from the 11 and 12 age group for boys and girls taking first place. 13 and 14 took second in both categories, and holding the top spot were the 15-18-year-olds placing first.
Despite being unrested, both Stingray boys’ and girls’ teams churned their way to SENECY titles with a host of individual meet records and personal-best performances.
Kristen Baker, a freshman at Barrington High School broke the 13 and 14 girls 100 back record (1:02.40) previously held by her sister. Garin Stone, Barrington High School sophomore broke the girls’ 15-18 100 fly record (59:37) by two seconds and Juliana Goncalves, senior at Bayview High School broke the 15-18 girls 200 IM record (2:13.44) that stood since 1984.
Girls’ 15-18 200 Medley relay (1:50.70) shattered the previous team and SENECY records consisting of Baker, Goncalves, Stone, Barrington High School sophomore, and Zoe Webster, Barrington High School freshman, qualifying for the YMCA Nationals in Greensboro, North Carolina in April. This dynamic team along with DiGiacomo also broke the team record for the 200 free relay (1:41.48) by almost one second. Stone set a new SENECY record with her 100 fly.
Boys’ 15-18 also finished on top breaking the 200 Medley relay (1:37.41) team and SENECY records. Seniors, Yanis Benadouda, Andrew Barton, Blake Anderson, and freshman William McClelland qualified for YMCA Nationals as a result.
“This has been an incredible experience,” said Andrew Barton, Barrington High School senior. “The coaches have been so supportive in helping us excel in and out of the pool,” Barton said.
Next, 52 members of the Stingray team will compete at the New England Championships at MIT on March 24 with eight swimmers qualifying for Nationals in Greensboro, North Carolina in April.
About the Bayside YMCA
The Y is one of the nation’s leading nonprofits strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility with a mission of nurturing the potential of children and families, improving the nation’s health and well-being, and providing opportunities to give back and support neighbors. The Y has the long-standing relationships and physical presence not just to promise, but also deliver, lasting personal and social change. Learn more at https://ymcagreaterprovidence.org.
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