With a fantastic showing at the Feb. 4 southwest sectional meet at Mankato State University, the Worthington Stingrays qualified 18-of-23 swimmers for the state meet, Sunday at the University of Minnesota Aquatic Center.
"I'm totally thrilled that we could qualify so many kids," Stingray's head coach Donna Damm said Wednesday. "They exceeded expectations at sectionals. Almost all of our swimmers dropped their times."
The feat is truly amazing considering that the Stingrays are one of the smallest team in the smallest section in the state. They also, due to scheduling and facilities, spend much less time in the pool than other teams across the state.
Several Stingrays qualified for three individual events and two relays. Jacob Brenden will compete in the boys 14-and-under 50-yard freestyle, 100 free and the 100 backstroke. The 13-year old will also swim in the 200 medley and free relays. Joining Brenden in the 14-and-under age group is Aaron Grafing, who qualified for same five events.
"The breaststroke is probably my best event," Brenden explained. "I have a good, strong kick that keeps me moving."
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David Sorensen and Gordy Moore will team up with Brenden and Grafing in the medley relay, while Alan Loosbrock will round out the freestyle relay. Sorensen and Loosbrock will compete individually in the 100 backstroke. Loosbrock also qualified in the 100 breast.
"It feels good to be going to the state meet," said Moore, who is also an alternate in the 50 back. "Donna is a great coach. Our team always works hard and we should probably do well."
Chris Engelkes (15) and Brandon Meyerdirk will compete individually in the 50 and 100 free in the boys 18-and-under division. Engelkes will also swim the 100 breaststroke, while Meyerdirk will compete in the 100 back. Both boys will swim for the Stingrays' 200 medley and 400 free relay teams.
Joining Engelkes and Meyerdirk in the relays are Torben Schafer and Nick Holden. Schafer and Holden also qualified for the 50 and 100 free events.
Tiny Henderschiedt (17), the Stingrays' long distance specialist, qualified for the girls 500 and 100 freestyle events.
"I'm really excited about the state meet," she said. "I'm a senior and this is my last state meet, so it's kind of surreal. I'm hoping to get my 500 time down under six 55 in Minneapolis."
In addition to her individual events, Henderschiedt will swim in the 200 medley and 400 free relays. Teammates Kari Engelkes, Jenna Hay and Angelia Meyerdirk will join Henderschiedt for the relays, in which the Stingrays are ranked No. 1. Molly Baumgard will be an alternate for the relays
Hay also qualified for the 100 back and breast, while Engelkes qualified in the 50 free and Meyerdirk in the 100 breast.
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Three 10-year old Stingrays qualified for the state meet, led by Hans Pederson. He qualified in three individual events -- 50 free, 100 free and 50 breast. Tim Skog will compete in the 50 back and butterfly events, while Dillon Pedersen qualified in the 50 breast. These three will team up with Adrian Manzo for the 200 free relay.
Rounding out the Stingrays' state competitors is Oliver Wolyniec, who qualified in the 8-and-under 25 free and backstroke events.
"We had personal bests and relay bests in almost every event at the sectionals," Damm said. "I hope they continue the trend in Minneapolis. They should, because tough competition generally makes them better."
The competition will undoubtedly be the best the Stingrays have seen, so Damm should see times drop even further on Sunday. The meet begins at 10:30 a.m.
