Wednesday, July 2, 2008

Stingrays don't knuckle under at 8-and-under meet

Jason W. Brooks News-Bulletin Staff Writer; jbrooks@news-bulletin.com

Rio Rancho Determination and self-confidence were just a few of the things being displayed Saturday at an 8-and-under meet at Rainbow Pool on the west side of Rio Rancho. Those were also a couple of the things being learned.

The Los Lunas Stingrays only took seven swimmers to the meet, three boys and four girls, but the experience among their peers will likely prove valuable. Several strong performances and big strides in confidence-building at Saturday's meet should help make fierce competitors out of the young Stingrays in years to come.

"Everyone we took this weekend but one is a first-year member with us," said Stingrays coach Lori Onsae. "We're really happy to see them in the water, competing."

With 87 members this summer, the Stingrays have many athletes in every age group. High-school-age swimmers that are certified are able to help coach some of the youngest members.

The boys medley relay team of Tony Onsae, Chesten Browning and J.C. Utash borrowed a YMCA club swimmer to complete their squad. They finished fifth.

All of the Stingrays who made the trip Saturday are new to the team this year except Onsae, who is the coach's son. Tony Onsae took first place in the butterfly Saturday and was fifth in the age 7 individual medley. Browning was third in that age group's medley.

Lori Onsae is hoping her son can qualify for the Sundance Aquatic League Championships later this month in both the freestyle and the butterfly.

Browning also took home a first-place ribbon for the boys age 7 backstroke, finishing two seconds ahead of his nearest competitor.

"He's swimming so well for a first-year kid," said Lori Onsae regarding Browning.

Abigail Lardner took 10th in the girls age 7 individual medley, while teammate Caitlin Vigil competed in the age 8 freestyle, a competitive event that had six heats.

Devanne Henson and Jessica Murray also competed for the Stingrays on the girls side.

The full Stingray squad is set to host a meet on Wednesday, July 9, at the Los Lunas High School Pool. Warm-ups for the meet, against a team from Albuquerque's Jewish Community Center, will start at 3:30 p.m.

A fun meet will be held at the LLHS pool on Saturday, July 12. The District D championships, used to determine qualifiers for the Sundance league meet, is set for Thursday, July 17, at Del Norte Sports & Wellness.

The season-ending Sundance meet is set for Saturday, July 19, at the West Mesa Aquatic Center.

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