Fun and success for the Stingrays at Wee Waa Swimming Club meet

Twenty Narrabri Stingrays Swimming Club members, including head coach Fiona Connell, were in action at the Wee Waa Swimming Club’s annual development carnival on Saturday.

The Courier was pool-side to get some action shots of the local swimmers, and the club provided the following report about the success and determination of the 20 Stingrays.

Zoe Malcolm competed in the 7-years-and-under 25m age group.

She was awarded first place in the freestyle and backstroke before heading off with her family to ballet. What dedication to juggle multiple commitments on the one day.

Armani Todd competed in her very first competitive carnival.

Alongside fellow Stingray Serena Malcolm, she competed in the 7-years-and-under 33m events.

Both girls competed in the freestyle and backstroke and Armani also competed in the breaststroke where she was awarded the bronze medal.

Max Booby was another swimmer who made his Stingrays debut. He competed in the 8-years boys’ 33m freestyle, backstroke and breaststroke.

He swam really well and had a lot of fun.

Narrabri Stingrays' Charlotte Penberthy dives into the pool to swim the butterfly lap of the 13-years-and-over girls’ 133m individually medley event in which she placed third. Narrabri Stingrays' Charlotte Penberthy dives into the pool to swim the butterfly lap of the 13-years-and-over girls’ 133m individually medley event in which she placed third.

Narrabri Stingrays' Bella Bakhuis, back, and Adison Hartog-Smith, front, in action in the 10-years girls’ 100m butterfly. Adison earned the silver medal in that event and Bella claimed bronze. Narrabri Stingrays' Bella Bakhuis, back, and Adison Hartog-Smith, front, in action in the 10-years girls’ 100m butterfly. Adison earned the silver medal in that event and Bella claimed bronze.

Narrabri Stingrays' Armani Todd swims in the 7-years-and-under girls’ 33m backstroke event at her first competitive carnival. Narrabri Stingrays' Armani Todd swims in the 7-years-and-under girls’ 33m backstroke event at her first competitive carnival.

Narrabri Stingrays' Clare Jensen swims the freestyle lap of her 13-years-and-over girls 133m individually medley event in which she finished fourth. Narrabri Stingrays' Clare Jensen swims the freestyle lap of her 13-years-and-over girls 133m individually medley event in which she finished fourth.

Narrabri Stingrays’ Andrew Coleman, back, and Wee Waa Swimming Club’s Nicholas Kable, front, launch themselves off the blocks. Narrabri Stingrays’ Andrew Coleman, back, and Wee Waa Swimming Club’s Nicholas Kable, front, launch themselves off the blocks.

Narrabri Stingrays' Serena Malcom swims in the 7-years-and-under girls 33m backstroke. Narrabri Stingrays' Serena Malcom swims in the 7-years-and-under girls 33m backstroke.

Narrabri Stingrays' Johnathon Charles swims in the 12-years’ boys 33m breaststroke event in his first carnival appearance of the season. Narrabri Stingrays' Johnathon Charles swims in the 12-years’ boys 33m breaststroke event in his first carnival appearance of the season.

Narrabri Stingrays' Ella Tomlinson swims the freestyle lap of her 13-years-and-over girls’ 133m individual medley event on her way to the gold medal. Narrabri Stingrays' Ella Tomlinson swims the freestyle lap of her 13-years-and-over girls’ 133m individual medley event on her way to the gold medal.

Wee Waa Swimming Club's Team's Gracie Lawty (front) and Narrabri Stingrays' Elke Collins (back) scored the gold and silver medals respectively in the 8-years girls’ 33m backstroke. Wee Waa Swimming Club's Gracie Lawty (front) and Narrabri Stingrays' Elke Collins (back) scored the gold and silver medals respectively in the 8-years girls’ 33m backstroke.

The Stingrays were represented in the 8-years girls’ by Elke Collins and Lexie Fernance.

Elke came away with the gold medal in the 33m freestyle and butterfly, silver in the backstroke and breaststroke, and she placed second in the girls’ 8-years-and-under SKINS event.

Lexie competed in the freestyle, backstroke and breaststroke and came away with the silver medal in the butterfly.

Phoenix Malcolm was the sole competitor in the 9-years girls’ and she came home with a bronze in the 33m freestyle and silver in the backstroke before heading off to her ballet commitments.

Frazer Penberthy and Heath Collins swam in the 10-years boys’ division.

Frazer competed in the 100m backstroke and was awarded silver medals in the 33m freestyle, backstroke, butterfly, and 100m freestyle.

He also won bronze in the 100m breaststroke, 133m individual medley and 33m breaststroke, and he placed second in the boys 10-years-and-under SKINS event.

Heath competed in the 33m freestyle, backstroke and butterfly and he was just out of medal contention in all of his races, a great effort.

Adison Hartog-Smith and Bella Bakhuis competed in the 10-years girls’ events.

They competed in the 33m freestyle, backstroke and butterfly, 100m freestyle and 133m individual medley.

A close finish in the 100m butterfly saw Adison awarded the silver and Bella awarded the bronze.

Bella raced the 100m breaststroke and came away with the bronze whilst Adison preferred the 100m backstroke, earning the silver.

Bella also earned a bronze medal in the 33m breaststroke.

Rory Holman swam in his first carnival of the season and had a great day. He joined Ryan Williams in the 11-years boys’ age group.

Rory swam in the 33m freestyle, backstroke, butterfly and breaststroke.

He had a fun day of racing and cannot wait for his next carnival.

Ryan competed in the 100m breaststroke and 33m breaststroke and is looking forward to adding more races to his carnival program.

Summer Fernance competed in the 11-years age group and she raced the 33m freestyle, backstroke, butterfly and breaststroke, the 133m individual medley and 100m freestyle.

She raced really well in a highly competitive age division.

Johnathon Charles was a welcomed addition to the Stingrays team as he competing in his first carnival for the season.

He swam in the 12-years age group in the 33m freestyle, 100m breaststroke, 100m freestyle and 33m breaststroke and he achieved some great times throughout the events.

Piper Williams and Clare Jensen raced in the 13-years girls’ division.

New to the sport, Piper is improving with each swim and she competed in the 33m freestyle, backstroke and breaststroke and 100m breaststroke.

Clare was awarded bronze in the 33m freestyle, butterfly and breaststroke.

She also competed in the 13-years-and-over 133m individual medley, 100m freestyle and 100m backstroke.

It was great to have the Stingrays’ oldest male squad member Andrew Colman able to compete.

Having just completed his HSC exams, a fun day at swimming was just what he needed.

In a competitive 14-years-and-over age group, Andrew claimed gold in the 33m freestyle, backstroke and butterfly.

He won silver in the 100m freestyle and bronze in the 33m breaststroke, as well as finishing third in the 13-years-and-over boys SKINS race.

The 13-years-and-over age group made way for a great day of fun racing rivalry between Stingrays squad members Ella Tomlinson, Charlotte Penberthy and coach Fiona Connell.

Charlotte took out silver in the 33m freestyle, with Fiona claiming bronze and Ella a close fourth.

Charlotte braved the 100m butterfly and won silver.

Fiona took out the 33m backstroke in a pool record time with Charlotte and Ella claiming the minor medals.

The 33m butterfly was a repeat of the backstroke with Fiona claiming another pool record and Charlotte and Ella a close second and third respectively.

Charlotte claimed bronze in the 100m breaststroke and silver in the 100m freestyle.

Ella claimed the gold in the 133m individual medley with Charlotte being placed third.

Fiona took out the win in the 33m breaststroke with Ella third and Charlotte a close fourth.

Charlotte also took out silver in the 100m backstroke and she finished third in the 13-years-and-over girls SKINS event.

The Stingrays then fielded five relay teams which was a fun way to end the day.