Stingrays off to strong '05 start

From 2001-03, the Sahuarita Stingrays swim team was the Tanque Verde League champion.

Last season, the team won the Santa Cruz League championship. This season, they have been bumped up to the Pantano League, making the competition much tougher.

So although the days of blowing away the competition may be a thing of the past, the Stingrays have still been very competitive in 2005, posting a 2-1 record so far.

Their only loss came in the first meet of the season June 9 against Tucson Country Club, last season's league champion.

They bounced back June 14 and 16, though, with back-to-back victories over Catalina Terrace and Lakeside.

Steady improvement

"That was the best meet we had so far," said Stingrays coach Mike Rebarchak after the Lakeside meet. "Everybody's been steadily improving ... and have had their best times ever, which is what you want to see."

The victories, though, haven't come as easy as they did a few years ago.

"The competition is actually there now," Rebarchak said. "It's going to be harder to win meets."

But the Stingrays are so far--and a newly refreshed enthusiasm looks to be the key.

"We were just so pumped (during the Lakeside meet)," Rebarchak said. "(Club president) Becky Place said this was the most (parents) that have stayed and the most spirited she's seen in the team in three years. They had fun. It was good, friendly competition."

What Rebarchak is most pleased with, though, is the total team effort.

"I can't single out any one individual," he said. "They've all improved so much."

New faces, too

A lot of new faces have also come out for the team this season, but it doesn't seem like the program has skipped a beat.

"The team is really coming together," Rebarchak said. "Everything is falling into place. I could not ask for a better team. They are very enthusiastic and the parent support is great, which is especially important with me being a first-year coach."

Although the season is going well so far, Rebarchak isn't betting on the rest of it being a cake-walk.

"Tucson Country Club was the league champion last year, and they look to be our biggest competition," he said, "but there are some other teams out there that are going to be a real challenge, too."

Harder practices and a positive attitude, though, seem to be making a difference.

"Everybody's having a great time," Rebarchak said, "and all the coaches are having a blast with the kids. That's what I wanted to see when I first came here."

The Stingrays hosted Rio Rico last night. Due to press deadlines, results were not available.

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