AUBURN - It has been a fantastic season for the 110 swimmers on the Auburn YMCA's Stingrays, who went undefeated with one tie this season to earn a 7-0-1 overall record.

“We've been pretty good this season,” head coach John Dalziel said. “To go undefeated in all those meets was really good and we've already had a lot of kids qualify for states and two that qualified for Nationals in Fort Lauderdale in April, so it has been a really strong season for us.”

This success is a cumulative effort, from the swimmers, coaches and parents that help support the team.

“We have a really great group of parents,” Dalziel said. “They help make sure everything runs smoothly and are very cooperative and I have some assistant coaches that are great and of course the kids. They are really dedicated and they have worked really hard to achieve all that they have this season.”

Through the course of a very long season, Dalziel said the swimmers have put in everything he has asked of them - and then some.

“We start in September and go through March,” Dalziel said. “It can be a long, grueling season. But every one of them has been dedicated all year and it has really shown.”

Dalziel, who has taken over as head coach for the first time this season, has worked as an assistant off and on for a number of years, which has helped him build a connection with many of the swimmers.

“I've worked with a lot of the kids for a few years now,” he said. “And I have seen how committed they all are to this and to doing well. So as a head coach it is great to see so many kids be so dedicated.”

Swimmers such as Mackenzie Hauger, 11, who has been on the team for five years, have been amazed to see the success of the team this year.

“I think it has a lot to do with how well everyone gets along and how much we get to practice,” Hauger said. “Everyone has worked really hard and I think that has had a lot to do with how well we have done.”

Saturday, the Stingrays will play host to teams from across Central New York, including Oswego, Watertown, Oneonta, Cortland and Fulton, as hundreds of young swimmers gather to compete in the district championship meet in Auburn.

With so many swimmers all in one place, Dalziel said these district meets are an exciting time.

“They are usually a lot of fun,” Dalziel said. “There are a lot of swimmers, a lot of good competition. It is a really exciting day for all the kids involved.”

Over the past week, as the Stingrays have prepared for this meet, Dalziel said he has noticed how energetic the kids have all been.

“Everyone is excited about this,” Dalziel said. “You can just see how excited all the kids are and how much they are looking forward to this meet and to get the chance to compete in such a big event. It has been great to see how excited they have all been.”

For many members of the Stingrays this is their first year competing in such a large event.

“The whole season has been a lot of fun,” said first-timer Josh Herrick, 10. “This meet makes me a little nervous because the whole district is going to be there, but I'm really excited about it.”

For each member of the Stingrays there is something riding on this meet.

“For the kids that haven't qualified for states this is their last chance,” Dalziel said. “We've been resting some of the younger swimmers to get them ready for this. And for the ones that have, they are still out there trying to do their best and beat personal best times and go a little faster, it is something that everyone is excited about.”

Hauger, who is among those that have already qualified for states, said there is still a lot pushing each member of the team to perform.

“No matter what it is still really exciting,” Hauger said. “For me I've been close to the record in a couple events this season and I really want to try to get the record in the 50 free and 50 fly. That would be amazing.”

For others the chance to make states will keep them energized through the entire competition.

“I really want to win that ribbon and get to states,” Zach Buchberger, 10, said. “I think that would be awesome.”

Dalziel encourages anyone interested to stop by the YMCA and see what promises to be some top-notch swimming competition.

“The Auburn Y has one of the most competitive programs in the whole state,” Dalziel said. “I don't think too many people know that and know how well we compete. So I think anyone who came out to watch would be amazed to see this competition and how competitive our team is.”