Stingrays Scoop 3.26.25

Lou Petto

Dear Stingray Families and Athletes,

Banquet Recap

What a great afternoon we had celebrating our season.  Our banquet not only celebrated accomplishments— it reinforced the values that make swimming, the Stingrays, and each individual on our team stronger. It was a meaningful way to bring the season to a close in a space that aligns with the very principles that guide the team.

2024-2025 Awards of Excellence Recipients

Girls

Age Group

Boys

Zinnia Piazza

8/under

Tommy Poppe

Danielle Lippitt

9/10

William Clarke

Nora Carlsruh

11/12

Sai Patange

Sophie Cain

13/14

Ben Najem

Alyssa Giovannis

Ella Taffera

15/Over

Austin Keeth

 

Bart Fellin Scholarship

The HCYMCA Bart Fellin A.A.C.T. Award recognizes one individual for their excellence

in Academic achievement, Athletic Dedication, Community Development and Team

Leadership.  Congratulations to Noah Abd for being this year’s recipient.

 

Spring Schedule

Our Spring Schedule is attached and will be posted to the team website soon. Please review it carefully, as there are some minor adjustments from the Fall/Winter schedule. This schedule runs from April 14 to June 20.

Saturday Practices:

Long Course practices will be available at the Jersey Aquatic Center for our Pre-Senior and Senior groups. If a meet is scheduled at the Jersey Aquatic Center, these groups will practice at RVCC instead. This is why the schedule lists an "or" for Saturdays. We will confirm specific practice locations in our upcoming team updates.

 

 

Coaching Structure

Beginning this spring:

  • Coach Alecia will be the official lead coach for the Junior 1 practice group. She has been with the Stingrays for a few years and does a fantastic job with our swimmers. Moving forward, she will handle all workouts and meet entries for Junior 1.
     
  • Chris Rattray will join as our Strength and Conditioning Coach, leading dryland training for Junior 2, Pre-Senior, and Senior groups. When not running dryland sessions, Chris will also be on deck at practices and meets. With experience in both swim coaching and dryland training, his expertise provides a unique advantage for our team.
     

 

 

Long Course Meets

Below is our planned meet schedule through June:

  • Friday Night USA Swimming Block Party Meets at Jersey Aquatic Center (various dates throughout spring).
  • Wilton, CT Prelim-Finals Invitational – May 30–June 1.
  • Rutgers Meets – May 10 & June 14-15.
  • Summit YMCA Short Course Meters Meet – June 21-22 (for Junior 1 & Little Stingrays; does not require USA membership).

All meets except for the Summit YMCA meet require a USA Swimming membership.

The July meet schedule is still in progress, and we will share updates as soon as we have more details.

 

 

USA Swimming Registration
Swimmers planning to compete in the NJ Swimming Championships must be registered with USA Swimming. If your swimmer hasn’t registered yet, please click here to register. If your swimmer wasn’t registered last year, you’ll need to create a parent account and add your swimmer. Take out the full membership for USA Swimming Please contact Coach Lou or Coach Ruby with any questions.
(Note: Little Stingrays do not need USA Swimming registration.)

 

 

Practice Schedule Changes:

 

Date

Reason

Change

4.25.25

Block Party Meet

J2, Pre-Senior, Senior 1A, and Senior 1B will be canceled due to the JCA Block Party Meet.  

All swimmers in these groups are expected to attend the meet

5.2.25

Block Party Meet

J2, Pre-Senior, Senior 1A, and Senior 1B will be canceled due to the JCA Block Party Meet.  

All swimmers in these groups are expected to attend the meet

5.9.25

Block Party Meet

J2, Pre-Senior, Senior 1A, and Senior 1B will be canceled due to the JCA Block Party Meet.  

All swimmers in these groups are expected to attend the meet

5.10.25

LC Meet at Rutgers

J1, J2, Pre-Senior, Senior 1A, and Senior 1B Will be canceled due to LC Meet at Rutgers

All Swimmers in these groups are expected to attend the meet

5.16.25

Block Party Meet

J2, Pre-Senior, Senior 1A, and Senior 1B will be canceled due to the JCA Block Party Meet.  

All swimmers in these groups are expected to attend the meet


 

 

Upcoming Meets:

 

Date

Meet

Swimmers attending

Sign up Deadline

3/21-23/25

NJ Swimming Gold

Qualifying Standards

Past

4/2-5/25

Age Group Zones

Qualifying Standards

Past

4/25

JAC Block Party - 50s

J1 and above (USA Members)

TBA

5/2

JAC Block Party - 100s

J1 and Above (USA Members)

TBA

5/9

JAC Block Party - 200s

J1 and Above (USA Members)

TBA

5/10

LC meet at Rutgers

J1 and Above (USA Members)

TBA

5/16

JAC Block Party - 400s

J2 and Above (USA Members)

TBA

5/30-6/1

Wilton YMCA Invite

J2 and Above (USA Members)

TBA

6/6

JAC Block Party - 800/1500s

J2 and Above (USA Members)

TBA

6/14-15

LC Meet at Rutgers

J1 and Above (USA Members)

TBA

6/21-22

SAY short course meet

Little Stingrays and J1

TBA
 

 

 

Happy Birthday to the following swimmer(s) celebrating this week!

  • Aarav Daw
  • Collin Casey
  • Zinnia Piazza

See you on the pool deck,

 

Coach Lou, and Coach Ruby