The Douglas County Stingrays brought their 2008-09 short-course swimming season to an impressive end.

Competing in the Southwest Divisional Championships at Lakeshore Natatorium in Carrollton, the Stingrays finished fifth overall with several top individual performances.

The Stingrays had five other swimmers with first place finishes in six events at the three-day meet.

Jack Moore, Stockton McGuire, Kamaria Mahone, Chloe Miller and Emily Meilus achieved first places finishes.

Moore, 7, had first place finishes in the 25-yard freestyle (16.22) 50 backstroke (43.31) and 100 freestyle (1:22.5) in the 8-and-under age division. He also had third place finishes in the 25 free (19.42), 100 Individual Medley (1:33.8) and 50 butterfly (47.1).

McGuire, 12, won the 50 free at 26.76 in the 11-12 age group. He was runner-up in the 100 back (1:06.1) and 50 back (30.15). In the 50 event, he achieved an AAA national time standard.

Mahone, 10, won the 50 breaststroke (39.10) and had second place finishes in the 50 freestyle (28.99), 100 breast (1:25.3), 100 back (1:10.9) and 50 back (32.90). She was third in the 100 IM at 1:14.5. She was fourth in the 100 free with a time of 1:05.16, which gave her an AAA time in that event.

Miller, 10, won the 200 free at 2:22.18 and had second place finishes in 50 butterfly (31.58), 100 IM (1:14.32), 100 free (1:03.9) and 100 butterfly (1:13.7).

Meilus, 9, won the 100 backstroke with a time of 1:09.04 to set a new meet record. She was runner-up in the 200 freestyle (2:24.2).

Mahone, Meilus, Miller and Emily Najar won the 200 medley relay event, just missing on a meet record by a second.

“I always expect our swimmers to give their best efforts at practice and in meets, however, I was again amazed at the excellent swims in Carrollton,” Stingrays coach Judy Prokopiak said. “Some of them have been swimming in numerous championship meets all over the southeast, while others have been logging the yardage at practice.”

This marked the end to the 2008-09 short-course season. The Stingrays will start the long-course season on April 25 when they travel to Marietta to compete in the Rays Invitational.

Kalie Whiddon, 11, had a second place finish in the 100 freestyle (1:01.73) and four fourth places finishes. Her older sister, Brittany, had three third places finishes (100 freestyle, 100 backstroke and 50 freestyle). Brittany Whiddon, the Douglas County Sentinel’s female swimmer of the year, also finished fourth in the 200 freestyle.

“The finals brought out the best in all our 11 and up swimmers, who took on the challenges with 99 percent personal best swims,” Prokopiak said. “A fantastic way to end the 2008-2009 season. You would think I would be used to the gutsy swims of the team, but they continue to surprise me with their efforts. I was especially pleased with novice swimmers and our teens.”

Prokopiak said she expects the success to continue with the team as it begins its long course season in a couple weeks.

“I am really looking forward to the long course season this summer as I believe it will be the best ever for the Stingrays,” she said. “This summer we will continue to work on our development of novice and beginner swimmers while challenging our more advanced team members.”

For more information or to register for the team, contact Coach Judy Prokopiak at prokopiak@douglascountystingrays.org or visit the teams’ website at www.douglascountystingrays.org.