By publicity officer

The Narrabri Stingrays have had a very busy November.

On Sunday, November 17, Stingrays swimmers travelled to Scully Park, Tamworth, for their annual carnival.

In very smoky conditions, our swimmers braved the conditions and performed really well.

Millie Collins competed in the 400m freestyle, 100m breaststroke, 200m freestyle and 200m breaststroke, making the day all about distance.

She performed really well gaining three PBs out of her four events.

Zoe Malcolm, the Stingrays’ youngest competitor for the day raced in the 6-years-and-under 25m events placing second in the freestyle, third in the backstroke and racing her first breaststroke event.

Pip Collins swam in the 200m individual medley and gained a great PB. She was awarded the bronze medal for her 100m Freestyle and 50m backstroke events.

She also competed in the open 200m freestyle gaining a PB and in the 10-years 50m freestyle.

Summer Fernance competed in the 11-years 200m individual medley, 50m backstroke, 100m freestyle, 100m breaststroke, 50m freestyle, 50m butterfly and 200m breaststroke and gained a great PB in the 50m breaststroke.

Bella Bakhuis swam in the 10-years 100m breaststroke, 50m freestyle, 50m butterfly, 200m breaststroke, 50m breaststroke and 50m backstroke.

She swam PBs in the 200m individual medley and 100m freestyle.

Clare Jensen swam in the 13-years 200m individual medley, 50m backstroke, 100m backstroke, 200m backstroke and the 800m freestyle.

She enjoyed a rare PB in the 50m freestyle and enjoyed adding the 200 backstroke to her repertoire of distance swims.

Ryan Williams competed in the 11-years boys 50m backstroke and gained big PBs in his 50m and 100m breaststroke.

Lexi Fernance swam in the 8-years-and-under 100m freestyle, 50m freestyle, 50m butterfly, 50m breaststroke and swam a great PB in the 50m backstroke.

Serena Malcolm competed in the 8-years-and-under 50m backstroke, 50m breaststroke and 50m freestyle with a three-second PB.

Phoenix Malcolm raced in the 9-years 50m freestyle, 50m butterfly, 50m breaststroke and swam PBs in the 50m backstroke and 100m freestyle.

Sophia Perovic-Gamez competed in the 10-years 100m breaststroke and 50m breaststroke and swam her way to PBs in the 50m freestyle, 50m backstroke, 100m freestyle and 50m butterfly.

Adison Hartog-Smith raced in the 10-years with PBs in the 200m freestyle, 200m backstroke, 50m backstroke, and she also swam in the 100m freestyle, 50m freestyle and 50m butterfly.

Elizabeth Caton competed in the 12-years 50m backstroke, 100m freestyle, 50m freestyle, 50m butterfly and gained PBs in the 200m freestyle and 50m breaststroke.

One of the Stingrays’ newest carnival swimmers Piper Williams had a great day, competing in the 13-years 50m backstroke, 100m freestyle, 100m breaststroke, 50m freestyle and 50m breaststroke.

Piper gained a PB in all of her events.

It is great to see that the numbers of older swimmers in the club is growing, when traditionally most sports start to lose numbers as the children reach their teenage years.

This is a testament to the support and encouragement of the club coach Fi Connell.

On Saturday and Sunday, November, 23 and 24, five swimmers braved the smoky conditions at Kootingal to attend the New England and North West Swimming Area Development Camp.

Swimmers were invited to attend the camp run by the area and coached by two of the area’s coaches.

Stingrays coach Fi Connell was asked to be one of the area coaches and her coaching and competition experience was very valued by the areas swimmers.

The other coach was Pat McAdam, another experienced area coach.

There were several sessions throughout the weekend, breaking down each stroke and helping swimmers to refine their techniques.

A highly valued session was that of sports nutritionist Grainne Attwell which helped the athletes to understand their dietary needs for everyday training and pre/post racing.

The weekend finished with an Area meet which allowed the swimmers to put what they have learnt into practice.

The Narrabri Stingrays Swimming Club was also in action in Wee Waa at the Wee Waa Swimming Club’s development meeting on Saturday to end the month.

More on that to come.

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