Stawell Stingrays Wimmera age group champions L-R (back) Jordon Austin, Matt Bourke, Ben Hughes (coach) Jayden Dignan; (front) Kyle Dignan.
STAWELL - Stawell Stingrays season finished with a sparkling performance in the pool at the Wimmera swimming championships.
Stawell travelled to Warracknabeal, where they finished second overall in the battle for the Wimmera Amateur Swimming Association Shield.
The Stingrays scored 434 points, narrowly losing out to top team Horsham Sharks with 448.
Stawell Stingrays coach, Ben Hughes was pleased with his team's effort.
"We went to Warracknabeal expecting good results, I think we exceeded those expectations with five championship sashes which was very nearly six," Hughes said.
"We had a couple of swimmers sick who couldn't compete and a few that were not 100 percent and were probably competing below their capacity so it is a great result.
"That said, I think we can do better next year.
"I would really like to beat Horsham, when I swam as a teenager Stawell had won six consecutive titles and I am very keen for us to return to the top."
Age group champions for Stawell were Hughes himself, who won the open men's section, while Jordan Austin took out the 13-14 year old girl's title.
Matthew Bourke was crowned age group champion in the 17-29 men's, Jayden Dignan won the 15-16 boys and younger brother Kyle took home the sash in the 9-10 boys. Hughes was a winner of two finals - the open 200 metre freestyle and 100 metre breaststroke.
Austin also won two finals - the girl's 13-14 and open 100 metre backstroke, while Bourke finished on top in the 17-29 200 metre individual medley, 50 metre butterfly and 50 metre breaststroke events.
Jayden Dignan took home top honours in the boy's 15-16 100 metre freestyle, butterfly and backstroke finals and Kyle Dignan won the boy's 9-10 50 metre freestyle and butterfly events.
Youngest Stingrays member, Madix Perry finished first in the boy's 9-10 50 metre backstroke final and Natalie Perry excelled in the girl's 11-12 100 metre backstroke final.
Jack Simmons won the 11-12 boy's 100 metre freestyle final.
Laura McClure was the Eleanor McRae women's open 400 metre freestyle winner.
Stawell also had a day out in the relay events with the 'A' mixed 14 and under 200 metre freestyle, 'A' boy's open 200 metre freestyle, 'A' girl's open 200 metre freestyle, 'A' mixed 16 and under medley and 'A' mixed open 200 metre medley teams all claiming first prize.
It has been a successful season for the Stingrays, with their hard work and added coaching sessions paying off.
"The swimmers have really benefited from visiting coaches and the way they are able to take on everything we tell them," Hughes said.
"We are often giving them lots of information in a short period of time and it can be difficult to digest, but they do a great job."
Hughes said all of the age group champions had a good year, but nominated Jordan Austin as a stand out.
"She performed especially well, finishing second in the open women's championship which is fantastic considering it's only her third year swimming," he said.
Hughes believes Madix Perry is set to have a big season next year after swimming against older kids in 2012-13, Annalise Spark was impressive in her first 100 metre butterfly swim and first year swimmer Max Waters has been one of the club's big improvers.
Stawell Stingrays recommence training on Thursday August 1, 2013.