Fall 2005
Stingrays Alumni News
Coaches Corner
RAYS Alumni,
Well we have had quite a year since I last wrote and I hope I don’t miss out on anything interesting.
During the short course season we took 16 swimmers to Sectionals (the old region meet) which was our highest number. We finished in the top 10, but our yearly goal is the top 5 every year. We had some really great relay swims, which reminded me of when we use to beat Dynamo and Swim Atlanta at the old Senior State meets with Paulo and crew.
We took 3 to Junior Nationals and we finaled in quite a few events, which was fun. The meet was in Orlando at the same YMCA pool that we visited quite a few times in the 90’s. Our Age Groupers were spectacular as our 11-12 girls won state and set a few GA records along the way. Andy, Pike and Keegan along with our other staff have done a superb job with our future. On a college note Bryan Lundquist was on the Auburn NCAA Champions Team.
This summer was even better than the winter. We had 2 Olympic Trial qualifiers for 2008 (Omaha, Nebraska). In our program Kristine Polley (14) made the cut along with the National cut in the 200 meter Breastroke (2:35). From our college swimmers, Bryan Lundquist (Auburn) made it in 2-3 events. Bryan and Michael Cellini also, represented us at Nationals along with Kristine. The meet was in Irvine, CA.
We had 3 14 & under make the winning GA Zone team and we took 3 swimmers to the new 18 & Under Championships meet, with Eric Moore and Chris Thompson making finals.
To cap of a great year Kristine & Eric were selected to the National Select Camp to be held in Colorado Springs in November. The last person we had made that was Wade Kelley (Texas). Also, we found out last night that Courtney Ciesielski (13) has been selected to the USA Swimming Zone Camp.
Coach Keegan got a new job at the University of New Orleans. Now she is back with us helping me with the Senior Team, while New Orleans gets sorted. Her college team is training at Emory and going to school at Agnes Scott, until their school is up and running. We have a new staff member to lead our North pool. Her name is Maggie Clifford; she came to us from Dynamo and is doing terrific. Maggie swam at TCU and is an Indiana girl who loves Notre Dame Football.
Finally I went to Chandler Wunder’ wedding in June. I have never seen a happier bride, including the two I personally know. I saw quite a few Alum’s and it was a great evening. Unfortunately I couldn’t make Dan Shuman’s wedding as I’m in Colorado Springs that weekend. To top it all off our team went over 400 members in September.
Remember to keep up to date with all the RAYS happenings by visiting our website www.stingraysswimming.com
Be safe and remember all you learned in the pool can be utilized today – Training for Life
Craig Sears
W: 770-993-7492
craig@searspool.com
As you might imagine, I'm still running my swimming pool management company. Things are going really well. We're coming off the best season yet. I made some management staff changes from 2004 to 2005, and that has made a HUGE difference. We're functioning much more efficiently, I'm very pleased to say.
Renata and I are also doing well. We're excited about the off season, as her parents are coming over to visit us for a month and we're taking them to Florida for vacation. Renata and I are also going to Hawaii this year, which will be a first for both of us, so we are super excited about that. And then we're also planning another trip to Slovakia this year to visit her extended family this winter. Plus, we're planning on starting our own family soon. So you could say it's going to be a VERY busy off season, too. : )
I don't know if everyone has heard, but I'm sure Meredith Moore will tell you, she's been through absolute hell battling a brain tumor. We've been praying for her regularly. She is recovering marvelously, but still could use all the prayers you have time to offer.
We're always looking for responsible lifeguards and field managers to help out each summer, and we'll have another full time year-round field position open up in 2006 as one of my guys is leaving me to return home to Europe this winter. Contact me if you're interested. Ya'll take care! Craig Sears
President, Sears Pool Management
Meredith C. Moore-Hansen
moore@eaglestrategies.com
404-459-2073
More updates than normal this time. My husband, Keith, and I had our first child - a son - Erik Allen Hansen on 4/14. I was subsequently diagnosed with a stage 4 malignant brain tumor on 6/1. Needless to say, it was a bad summer. I had 3 brain surgeries in 6 weeks and finished radiation on 9/16. I am currently being treated at Duke University's Brain Tumor Center, but we are still living in Alpharetta. Click here for updates on my story.
Billy Hepler
B4Hepler@charter.net
I am still currently assigned to Whiteman Air Force Base outside Kansas City. My wife (Brooke) and I have moved on base in anticipation of a possible move next summer. No additions to the family since the last newsletter. Brock, our 4 year old, is in pre-school and loving it, and Beau (just turned 2) is doing great. I am starting instructor upgradein the B-2 Spirit Bomber in October. I also got the privilege of flying the Indianapolis 500 flyby earlier this year if anyone saw that on TV. Next summer I will either be moving to Washington DC or will be going to Weapons school (think Top Gun for the B-2). We are having a lot of fun out here and look forward to hearing how everyone else is doing.
Billy Hepler
Bobby Mayhew
rsmayhew1975@hotmail.com
Hey Fellow Alumni:
The past year has seen some big changes in my life. The first being after five years of working for Honeywell just outside Richmond, VA, I've taken a new position with Tyco Healthcare in Raleigh, NC. The new position is a engineering/project management position at one of their bulk pharmaceutical plants. It is a big change from what I was doing for Honeywell and I am enjoy the change, but staying very busy. Besides my new job, the other item that is taking most of my time is planning my wedding to my long time girlfriend Kari. The wedding will be in Raleigh next June. Kari recently moved down to Raleigh from Richmond and is in the process of looking for a new job and working to plan the big or at least telling me how its going to be. Other than that I am still working out - mainly running. I am currently training for a marathon in February. I hope everyone is doing well and looking forward to continued success in 2006. Take care.