Stingrays make waves at state

Camden PSA Stingray swimmer C.J. Barber won the 50-yard backstroke for the second straight year, among several team highlights last Friday and Saturday at the Georgia Recreation and Park Association Class B state meet in Moultrie.

The Stingrays sent 14 to state, and each swimmer received at least one award, according to coach Ernesto “E.J.” Pena, who praised his swimmers for their hard work.

“We had five return from state last summer and nine new state qualifiers,” he said. “The kids have improved so much since the beginning of the summer and it showed at the state meet.”

Barber captured the 50 backstroke in the 13- and 14-year-old boys division. He added second in the 50 butterfly and fifth in the 100 freestyle, and joined Gavin McDonald, Lucas Poddig and Ethan Jiang for sixth in the 200 free relay. McDonald placed sixth in the 50 backstroke.

For the 15-18 boys, Javier McClenic garnered third in both the 100 free and 50 butterfly, and fifth in the 50 free. McClenic, Greyson Davis, Garrett Davis and Mikael Nieves posted fifth in the 200 medley relay and sixth in the 200 free relay.

Logan Tacbas, Hope Poddig, Kamaya Quarterman and Isabella Nieves placed seventh in both the 100 free and 100 medley relays for the 9-10 girls. Tacbas also placed ninth in the 100 individual medley with a personal-record time.

In the 7-8 girls group, Avery Anderson touched the wall sixth and Mya Anderson eighth in the 25 breast.

“I am beyond proud of their accomplishments,” Pena said. “They really are good kids with such great character. It’s been a joy watching them compete and a blessing being their coach. We’re all excited and ready for state next year.”