May 6, 2024
The YMCA of Rock River Valley is proud to announce the YMCA Stingrays Swim Team took first place at the Northwest Illinois District Championships for a second straight year. The event took place March 1-3, 2024 at Illinois Valley YMCA in Peru, IL. The Stingrays took 105 swimmers to Districts, swimming in 560 events, earning first place team finishes in the following divisions: Overall Team, Girls Team, 8 & under Combined, 8 & under Girls, 21 & under Combined, 21 & under Girls, and 21 & under Boys.
“I am so proud of our swimmers, coaches, volunteers and parents,” Dan Vale, YMCA Stingrays Head Coach. “We are so grateful to have such a strong community of swimmers, parents, volunteers and donors who all contribute in their own ways to give the kids opportunities to experience growth and success.”
Several highlights include:
● Sadie Lindquist dropped over 20 seconds in her 100 FR to win the 10&under Girls Jr.
Districts 100 Free
● Zander Suhr won the 12 & under Boys Jr. Districts 200 Free by a dominant 10 seconds
● Parker Welt took 1st place by 0.03 seconds in the 12&under Boys Districts 200 Free
● Congratulations to our 21 & under Girls 400/200 Medley and 400 Free Relays (Alaina
Neumann, Avery Miles, Ruby Esparza, Lydia Nordgren, Zoe Shields) for their first place
finishes and Team Record swims
● Lydia Nordgren set an individual team record in the 200 Fly
We would also like to recognize all 36 of our District Event Champions:
Lucy Fey (1650), Dan Parsonage (1650), Girls & Boys 21 & under 400 Free Relays, Evelyn Soderstrom (400 IM), Ellie Logli (400 IM), Cale Miles (400 IM, 100 Fly), Lindsay Tousant (100 IM, 25 Free, 25 Fly, 25 Breast), Zoe Shields (50 Free), Avery Miles (200 Back, 200 Free, 100 Back, 100 Free, 500 Free), Madison Hughes (25 Back, 50 Free), Noah Fleming (25 Back), Ruby Esparza (100 Breast, 200 IM), Lucy Hodges (100 Fly), Lydia Nordgren (100 Fly, 200 Fly), Isabella Romo (25 Free – Jr. Districts), Sam Lindquist (25 Free – Jr. Districts), Girls 8 & under 100 Medley Relay, Girls 21 & under 200 Medley Relay, Nadia Vilic (200 IM, 100 Breast, 50 Breast), Ella Leonard (50 Back – Jr. Districts), Parker Welt (100 Free, 50 Fly, 200 Free, 50 Free), Lily Dreier (100 IM – Jr. Districts), Grayson Suhr (100 IM – Jr. Districts), Inga Skominas (50 Free, 100 Free, 50 Breast – Jr. Districts), Girls & Boys 21 & under 400 Medley Relays, Conner Welt (200 Fly), Oscar Humphrey (50 Free – Jr. Districts), Ava Hayes (200 Breast), Girls 8 & under 100 Free Relay, Girls & Boys 21 & under 200 Free Relays, Jaiden Guglielmetti (500 Free), Zander Suhr (200 Free – Jr. Districts), and Graeme Sweet (50 Breast).
The Stingrays will send 62 swimmers to the State Championship Meet, which will be held March 8-10 at Lake Central High School in St. John, IN.
Do you have a child who is interested in joining the Rays? Spring Rookie Week is coming up April 22-26, 2024. Click here to learn more.
