The Andalusia Stingrays finished 17th overall this past weekend at the state swim meet in Birmingham.

It wasn’t exactly the outcome the team was looking for, but the Stingray’s coaches said they were pleased with the effort put in by their swimmers.

Each of the Stingray swimmers improved their times at state meet.

“This is one of those meets were there are many unknowns,” Stingray coach Gavin Donaldson said. “We have swimmers that have swam big meets before, and several new swimmers that have not been in front of a large crowd.”

Those swimmers didn’t let the pressure of the large crown get to them, and all went on to put up strong times.

“It is a spring meet with no room for errors,” Donaldson said. “Even the veteran swimmers get nervous, whether they will admit it or not.”

Even with the added pressure on the big stage of a state meet, Donaldson said he was pleased with the outcome.

“The coaching staff was surprised at all the time improvements,” Donaldson said. “All the swimmers dropped big time from what was swam at the district meet two short weeks ago.”

Donaldson said that that was something that was asked of the swimmers heading into the state meet.

“We asked each swimmer for their best and that is what they gave themselves and the team,” Donaldson said.

This was the final meet of the year for the Stingrays, and the coaching staff said they enjoyed all the kids and the efforts they put into it this season, and are ready to get back at next season.