AUBURN - After last month's district meet, the Auburn Stingrays have been feeling pretty excited.

The meet, which the Stingrays hosted, saw six teams from across Central New York, coming to compete in Auburn, all vying for best times and making the last push to get as many swimmers as possible into state competition.

“Things went off without a hitch,” said John Dalziel, head coach for the Stingrays. “We had some really good times and we qualified five out of 10 age groups. For some kids this was their last meet of the season, so it was a really exciting time for everyone.”

The chance to host such a big event at home came as a great bonus for the Stingrays this season.

“It is our home pool,” said Greg Rifanburg, 16, “so it was familiar to us. It is always better to swim at home.”

Through the course of the regular season and after districts, the Stingrays are standing tall with more than 60 swimmers ready to make their way to states, which will be hosted March 16-18 at SUNY Cortland.

“That is about half our swimmers,” Dalziel said. “That is usually about how many we get every year, so I think we did really good.”

Dalziel said the team's performance at districts comes as a real confidence booster in what is a very long season.

“We start in September and go to March,” Dalziel said. “It is a really long season. To do so well in districts was really exciting for everyone and I think it really helped to boost a lot of kids' confidence which really helps at this point in the season when we are getting ready for states.”

Coming off their successful performances in districts, team spirit is at an all-time high as the swimmers will all be spending the next few weeks sharpening their skills in preparation for Cortland.

“We're still training,” Dalziel said.

“That is what we are going to be focusing on for the next few weeks. We are going to be focusing a lot on technique and getting mentally prepared for states.”

While many members of the Stingrays have been to states a number of times, the feeling of excitement and anxiety never really wears off.

“It is a lot more intense,” said Candice Elliott, 17. “There are a lot more people there and a lot more people watching.”

Elliott, who has made 10 appearances in states before, said competition is also on a much higher level.

“In a lot of other meets everyone is pretty close to you in speed,” Elliott said. “But there everyone is so much faster; it is completely different than any other meet.”

While there is a great deal of value placed on every meet the team competes at, Dalziel said states are really the focus throughout the season because of the high-caliber competition.

“States are really the culmination of the whole season,” Dalziel said. “This is really the meet that we are looking to be a part of all year and that we are looking to be at our best for.”

With a few weeks to prepare, many on the team are taking this time to hone their skills.

“You just try to work hard,” said Reagan Cuddy, 17. “You try to eat better and stay in good health to get ready. This is my senior year, so I'd really like to get a best time.”

Six members of the team have already qualified for spots at nationals in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

Dalziel is looking to states as an opportunity to get a few more swimmers into national competition.

“I think we can get four or five more,” Dalziel said. “That would be the biggest team we've taken in a few years, and I think we can get those kids qualified at states.”

But no matter where everyone ends up when states are over, Dalziel said it has been an exciting season.

“It has been a good year for us,” Dalziel said.

“I think we have some good chances at states and that is something to look forward to.”