Stingrays Scoop 2.4.26

Lou Petto

 

🐟 HCY Stingrays Scoop

As we head into the final two months of the season, we want to share a few important updates and key dates.

Season Wrap-Up

  • Little Stingrays will conclude their season at the Summit Meet on March 1 and will begin their break immediately following the meet.
  • J1 and older swimmers will wrap up the season at the River Crossing Finale Meet on March 28.

Team Banquet

  • 📅 Friday, March 27 (yes—Friday night this year!)
  • 📍 Hawk Pointe Golf Club

Spring Schedule

  • Team break: March 29 – April 12
  • Spring practices begin: April 13
  • Practice times will remain the same through the end of the school year.

Group Changes
Swimmers recommended for group changes will be contacted by their group coach.

 

 

🏊‍♂️ NJ Swimming 12 & Under Silver/Bronze Championships

  • Sign-up deadline: February 5
     

This championship meet is a fantastic opportunity for our younger swimmers to race in a championship environment, build confidence, and put their hard work into action. Meets like this help swimmers learn how to compete, manage nerves, and rise to the occasion—all while having fun with teammates.

Most importantly:
👉 ALL HCY swimmers ages 9–12 are eligible.
No qualifying times are required—this meet is designed to give every swimmer in this age group a chance to experience a championship-style meet.

Opportunities like this don’t come around often, so please be sure to register by February 5 to ensure your swimmer can participate. Let’s celebrate the progress our swimmers have made this season!

 

 

🏆 NJ YMCA 8 & Under Championships

  • New Date: February 28
  • 📍 Ocean County YMCA, Toms River, NJ (1088 West Whitty Rd)
  • ⏰ Please arrive 20 minutes prior to warm-up
  • Schedule: TBD

 

🏅 YMCA Bronze Championships

We are proud to share that HCY has been selected to host the Region A Bronze Championships—an honor not every team receives. Being entrusted with this meet reflects our strong reputation for running well-organized, efficient, and welcoming events. Once again, this is our opportunity to come together and show the region what makes HCY such a special team.

As a matter of pride, responsibility, and gratitude, every HCY family is expected to volunteer, even if your swimmer is not competing this weekend. Hosting a meet of this size truly takes a full team effort, and there are plenty of ways for everyone to help. Many hands make light work!

Perks of Volunteering

  • Swimmers who help will be fed through hospitality
  • Coach Lou can sign off on volunteer/service hours required for school activities

📅 Session Schedule

Session 1 – Friday (13 & Over)

  • Doors Open: 3:15 PM
  • Warm-Up: 3:30 PM
  • Meet Start: 4:55 PM

Session 2 – Saturday (9–10)

  • Doors Open: 6:45 AM
  • Warm-Up: 7:00 AM
  • Meet Start: 8:25 AM

Session 3 – Saturday (11–12)

  • Doors Open: No earlier than 11:00 AM
  • Warm-Up: 11:15 AM
  • Meet Start: 12:15 PM

Session 4 – Saturday (13 & Over)

  • Doors Open: No earlier than 2:35 PM
  • Warm-Up: 2:50 PM
  • Meet Start: 4:15 PM

Session 5 – Sunday (9–10)

  • Doors Open: 6:45 AM
  • Warm-Up: 7:00 AM
  • Meet Start: 8:25 AM

Session 6 – Sunday (11–12)

  • Doors Open: No earlier than 11:25 AM
  • Warm-Up: 11:40 AM
  • Meet Start: 12:40 PM

 

Spring/Summer Tryouts:

We have set the following dates for tryouts for the Spring/Summer team. More information to come!  If you know anyone interested in swimming with our team please share our tryouts dates/info. If you know any potential athletes who are interested right now, please have them reach out to Coach Lou or Coach Ruby ***Existing Stingray swimmers do not need to re-tryout.  They all have a spot on the team***

  • March 17th  and 18th @ 6:15pm at Deer Path YMCA
  • March 24th and 25th @ 6:15 at Deer Path YMCA

 

📱 Stay Connected with GroupMe

Join your swimmer’s GroupMe chat to stay updated. We recommend both parents and older swimmers join:

 

🏅  Meet/Event Schedule

Date

Meet Name/Location

Groups Attending

Sign up deadline

Jan 30-Feb 1

Summit Deep Freeze

Non Bronze swimmers

Past

Feb 6-8

NJ YMCA Bronze @ Raritan Bay YMCA

Qualifiers

PAST

Feb 13-15

NJ YMCA Silvers @ Jersey Aquatic Center

Qualifiers

PAST

Feb 20-22

NJ YMCA 12/Under States @ Ocean County YMCA

Qualifiers

PAST

Feb 21-22

NJ Swimming 12/under Silver/Bronze @ Princeton Middle School

Qualifiers

2/5/26

Feb 28

NJ YMCA 8/under Champs @ Ocean County YMCA

8/unders

PAST

Feb 28-Mar 1

NJ Swimming 13/over Bronze @ Princeton Middle School

Qualifiers

2/11/26

Mar 5-8

NJ YMCA 13/over States @ Franklin and Marshall

Qualifiers

2/12/26

Mar 13-15

NJ Swimming 13/over Silvers @ Rutgers

Qualifiers

2/24/26

Mar 14-15

NJ Swimming 10/under Gold @ Jersey Aquatic Center

Qualifiers

2/24/26

Mar 20-22

NJ Swimming 11/Over Gold @ Rutgers

Qualifiers

2/24/26

March 27

Swim Team Banquet - Save the Date

    

March 28

River Crossing YMCA Finale @ Quakertown

All 9/overs

3/1/26

Mar 30 - April 3

YMCA Nationals @ Greensboro NC

Qualifiers

3/1/26

April 1-4

Eastern Zone Age Group Champs @ Buffalo NY

Qualifiers

3/1/26

 

🚨 Important Practice Updates 🚨

February

  • Friday, February 6: Normal practices for all groups
  • Saturday, February 7:
    • J1/J2: Canceled
    • Senior/Pre-Senior: Practice at Deer Path, 7:00–9:00 AM\

💡 Tip: Please mark your calendars now—these changes impact multiple groups, especially during meet weekends.


See you on the pool deck,
Coach Lou & Coach Ruby