First time in Andalusia history the city’s Stingrays swimmers have completed the trip with a third straight district championship on July 8.
Director of Coaching Darren Forry credited those in the community for their help in reaching this landmark.
“This is all thanks to the support of the community and effort the children parents, their children, and all who is involved in our program. There’s not a similar program to it. I’ll end with two more words for those who finish reading this article: “Build it,”” Forry said.
Assistant Coach Assistant Candice Vinson felt in the same similar way to Forry.
“These children have deserved this win after for sacrificing their weekends and hours of training due to the heavy weather and rain this year. We compete against teams who have no such issue, and they have indoor facilities. The best time to build the facility is right now.” Vinson said.
Forry and Vinson’s “build it’ remarks refer to the need and desire of for program participants as in addition to others who believe it that the center would be beneficial to the area such as an Aquatic center.
The Assistant coach Josh Hudson paid homage to all those involved.
“This group of swimmers and parents been with us throughout thick and thin. There were many team records broken, and the most points ever recorded at the district meet. They’ve been a positive role model for our city in the best way and left nothing to be desired. Congratulations Rays,” Hudson said.
Assistant Coach Assistant Andy Shaddix, who announced 2023 as his final year of coaching the team was highly praised by the Stingrays.
“We saw a number of swimmers win their own events, finish fourth in their events, and qualify for state competition, and record-breaking team records this year. We’ve never seen such a winning streak in my experience in the program and ending the year in this manner is my method of riding to the sunset,” Shaddix said.
The junior coaches as well as swimmers include Eliana Forry Nicholas Appleyard, Tyler Levitzke, Briley Henry and Jamie Geohagan. They’ve put hours in training and coaching. They all can recall prior to this streak the years of work and effort to get close to their first district win.
“It is a great feeling that we’re where we’re at now,” Eliana said. “Looking to the back, not only listening to it, but going through those times of being a little short Dothan and beyond, it just strikes different. I’m so proud to be part of the current events.”
Andalusia is not planning to get older for all athletes this season. All swimmers on the team have the option of coming back in 2024 to defend the district in the chance to win four titles.
With their third district victory in consecutive years The Andalusia Stingrays will travel to Birmingham between July 21 and 22 to compete in the state swimming competition at the Birmingham Crossplex.
The article Stingrays break records by winning the third straight district championship was first published in The Andalusia Star-News.
