Dear Stingray Nation, 

What a whirlwind of a weekend! Our Stingrays had a weekend full of fast swims, huge time drops, new state cuts, and more zone cuts in Indianapolis.  What an incredible experience to swim in an Olympic-class pool!  Parents had a great time cheering on our swimmers.  Coach Rich and Coach Matt worked ALL weekend, 14-15 hours each day, to support our swimmers!     

Congratulations to Maryn Varga, who brought home the 10 and Under Girls High Point Award from the 2025 Circle City Classic!  Maryn finished 1st in the 200 yard individual medley and 100 yard backstroke, she took 2nd place in three other events, and 4th in her final two events. Way to go Maryn!!

Read on for more IMPORTANT information about upcoming events.  

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MEET UPDATE

LCSC Polar Plunge - January 31-February 2, 2025 at the Livonia Rec Center

From the hosting club: Due to the size of the meet, we will use 6 lanes for the competition on Sat and Sun. Below are the warm-up and start times. Please note the start time changes.  We will also post time change signs throughout the venue.

• Friday 1650 Free - Warm Up 3:30pm; Event Start 4:15pm

• Friday Evening - Warm Up 5:30pm; Event Start 6:15pm

• Saturday/Sunday AM - Warm Up 8:30am; Event Start 9:30am

• Saturday/Sunday PM - Warm Up 11:30am; Event Start 12:30pm

YMCA EASTERN CLUSTERS - February 7, 8, and 9, 2025

URGENT - VOLUNTEERS NEEDED -  This is our “home” meet.  We put together and host this meet from start to finish.  Many parents have been working for months to plan this event.  ALL parents are required to volunteer for TWO sessions at this meet whether or not your swimmer is swimming.    Please click here: Volunteer Signup to sign up.  There is a $100 fine for not volunteering, but WE DON’T WANT YOUR MONEY, we need your help! Please don't just assume that someone else will volunteer. Many parents are already committed to ALL FIVE SESSIONS, please join us for two sessions, or more if you can!

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TEAM EVENTS - CORRECTION 

Championship Season Spirit Dinner - Wednesday, February 5th, 2025 

• 7:30 P.M. at the YMCA (Practices will likely be slightly adjusted)

• This is a time for our championship team swimmers and coaches to get together for a carb-filled meal before Championship Season begins!

• No RSVP is required. This event is FREE for all swimmers competing in at least one championship meet! (Please no parents or siblings, unless there are leftovers.)

8 & Under Fire and Ice Event - Wednesday, February 12th, 2025  

• 7:15 P.M. at the YMCA

• This is a spirit event for all 8 & Unders swimming at the YMCA 8 & Under State Championships at Waterford!

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GEARing up....  Hey, Hey, Hey, Stingray Nation! Great news! Our Championship shirts are in and are being printed this week. If you ordered one, look to pick up at the Championship Spirit Dinner on Wednesday, February 5 at the YMCA. Additionally, if your stingray swimmer is entered in Clusters, they will receive ONE silicone cap for the Championship meets in February. Happy to report, our caps have shipped!

Not done yet.... If your 9 & up Stingray swimmer wants to complete their State Meet pool deck drip, click to order them a specially designed:  Stingray Fan Chain. These are $16/each and your FFYS Booster account will be billed.  These special Fan Chains are for 2025 YMCA State Qualifiers. See the design in the link above!  It's time to look good and swim fast!!!!!!

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END of SEASON and MARCH CLINICS

The last day of regular practice for all groups is February 28th.  Zone Team and National Team swimmers will continue until their respective meets, according to a slightly altered schedule that will be communicated soon.

But, guess what? Swim does not really end!  

MARCH CLINICS will be offered: 

Monday, Wednesday & Friday evenings at the YMCA - March 3-28 (no clinic on 3/17)

10 & under - 6:00-6:45pm (cost $115)

11 & older - 6:45-8pm (cost $135)

Registration is OPEN!

10 & under clinic: http://apm.activecommunities.com/ymcadetroit/Activity_Search/106878

11 & over clinic: http://apm.activecommunities.com/ymcadetroit/Activity_Search/106879

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ZONE TEAM and NATIONAL TEAM UPDATE

There will be an additional $100 charge for Y Zone Team and an additional $100 charge for Y National Team. This pays for the pool rental and coaching fees for the month of March.  If you know that your swimmer will be attending Zones or Nationals, please click on the links below to pay the additional cost(s).  Please note, this is a YMCA charge, NOT an FFYS Boosters charge.

Y Zone: http://apm.activecommunities.com/ymcadetroit/Activity_Search/106877

Y Nationals: http://apm.activecommunities.com/ymcadetroit/Activity_Search/106876

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SWIMMER of the WEEK

Congratulations to our Swimmers of the Week!

Senior - JoJo Beyer

Gold - Maryn Varga - Swimmer of the Indy MEET!

Silver - Shun Mohri

Bronze - KeLiyah Williams

MiniRay - Talia Killgrove 

FIRE UP STINGRAYS!  Championship Season is nigh!