The Bayside Family YMCA Stingray swim team won its fifth consecutive regional title at the Southern New England YMCA Championships held recently at Boston University’s Fitness and Recreational Center.

The three-day competition drew more than 1,500 swimmers ranging from ages 6 to 18 from Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Connecticut. The Bayside YMCA Stingrays took the overall team championship by 900 points, bringing several record-breaking moments and new qualifications.

Leading the team to victory were swim coach veterans, Jen and Ray Baker, along with a stellar coaching staff of seven. 

Ray Baker said each member of the Stingrays team contributed to the championship.

“We can’t say enough how proud we are,” said Ray Baker. “They came to race from the youngest to oldest. Our younger swimmers come with so much energy and excitement. The older swimmers performed exceptionally well even after winning states the night before. They are all incredible athletes."

The Bayside Stingrays came out on top across all age groups in both boys and girls. 

The 8 and under boys and girls placed second overall with only seven boys competing. The 9 and 10 boys and girls also placed second. This was followed by a strong session from the 11 and 12 age group for boys and girls taking first place. The 13 and 14 boys and girls finished in second, and holding the top spot were the 15- to 18-year-olds placing first.

Both Stingray boys’ and girls’ teams churned their way to SENECY titles with a host of individual meet records and personal-best performances.

• Kristen Baker, a freshman at Barrington High School, broke the 13 and 14 girls 100 backstroke record (1:02.40) previously held by her sister. 

• Garin Stone, a Barrington High School sophomore, broke the girls’ 15-18 100 butterfly record (59:37) by two seconds.

• Juliana Goncalves, a senior at Bayview High School broke the 15-18 girls 200 IM record (2:13.44) that stood since 1984.

• The girls’ 15-18 200 medley relay (1:50.70) shattered the previous team and SENECY records. The relay team consists of Baker, Goncalves, Stone, and Zoe Webster, a Barrington High School freshman; the girls qualified for the YMCA Nationals in Greensboro, N.C. in April. This dynamic team along with Emma DiGiacomo also broke the team record for the 200 free relay (1:41.48) by almost one second. Stone set a new SENECY record with her 100 fly.

• The boys’ 15-18 200 medley relay team also finished on top (1:37.41), breaking team and SENECY records. Seniors Yanis Benadouda, Andrew Barton, Blake Anderson, and freshman William McClelland qualified for YMCA Nationals as a result.

“This has been an incredible experience,” said Andrew Barton, a Barrington High School senior. “The coaches have been so supportive in helping us excel in and out of the pool."

Next, 52 members of the Stingray team will compete at the New England Championships at MIT on March 24, with eight swimmers qualifying for Nationals in Greensboro, N.C. in April.