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History of The Team
StingRay Swim Club (SSC) is part of the greater Snohomish County community, serving not only those with Snohomish addresses, but Everett, Lake Stevens, Monroe, Mill Creek and the surrounding areas. SSC is a non-profit organization administered by elected parent volunteer officers and board. SSC provides training to more than 150 swimmers. The club trains at the Explorer Middle School pool in Everett, the Mariner High School Pool in Everett, and the Lake Stevens High School Pool in Lake Stevens. We are proud members in good standing with United States Swimming and Pacific Northwest Swimming.
SSC has evolved from a combination of two swim clubs: The Snohomish Seals, a summer only team, and the StingRays, a year-round club. The Team was established as Snohomish Valley Swim Club in April 1991 when the two clubs were merged. From 1991 to 1998 membership fluctuated between 30-50 swimmers. In September 1998 the club hired Badger Faision as Head Coach. Coach Faison hired a new, experienced coaching staff and implemented a new direction in our swim program. Under his experienced guidance, the Club realized dramatic growth in membership and in the quality of the program. In March of 2002 the team adopted the name StingRay Swim Club.
In the Spring of 2003, SSC hired Coach Ben Olszewski formerly the Head Coach of the Gig Harbor Peninsula Swim Club. Since Ben’s arrival the club has continued to experience strong growth. SSC now operates out of three pools and has a staff of 6 coaches. From a competitive standpoint the club is consistently producing Junior National, Senior National and Sectional swimmers. Additionally SSC is producing National reportable times, PNS Records, and advancing in the Team Standings at all levels. In the summer of 2008 SSC produced it’s first Olympic Trial qualifier, Garren Riechel. Since then, alumni Rikka Brunner and SSC sprint specialist Alana Pazevic have also bettered Olympic Trial qualifying times. Ben and his entire staff are dedicated to continuing this tradition of excellence.
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