The Stingray Swimming Team Aruba concluded an extraordinary weekend at the Siegfried Francisco Invitational 2025 in Curaçao. With four sessions of competition filled with energy, discipline, and passion, our delegation of 21 athletes proudly represented Aruba, collecting 70 medals: 29 gold, 23 silver, and 18 bronze. Many personal bests (PBs) were broken, and the team demonstrated exemplary spirit and determination.
Session 1 Highlights
Stingray opened the competition with a strong attitude, earning 7 gold, 8 silver, and 4 bronze. Leandro Santiesteban, Iva Werleman, Emma Ponson, and Richmyra Hoen stood out in several events, while other athletes—Mary-Ann, Rosaleen, Vira, and Emiliano—also shone. The powerful relays of 9–10 and 13–14 boys took gold; 13–14 girls earned silver; and 11–12 boys took bronze.
Session 2 Highlights
Session 2 continued Stingray’s momentum: 8 gold, 7 silver, and 3 bronze. Important victories by Mary-Ann, Duncan, Emma, Leandro, and Richmyra dominated the sprint events. Two mixed relays (9–10 and 8 & under) won gold, while the 11–12 relay earned silver. Emiliano and Emma took bronze in distance events, showing high-level performance.
Session 3 Highlights
Stingray maintained their intensity, adding 9 gold, 3 silver, and 7 bronze to their collection. Leandro dominated the 50 Breast, 200 IM, and 100 Free, while Emma and Iva won gold in the 200 IM. Richmyra added a crucial gold in the 100 Free. Three consecutive mixed medley relays took gold, demonstrating the team’s strength. Bartolomeo, Emiliano, Duncan, Emma, Zainel, and Jordan contributed silver and bronze medals.
Session 4 Highlights
The final session was a demonstration of physical and mental endurance, with a total of 5 gold, 5 silver, and 4 bronze medals earned. Athletes continued to achieve PBs and finished strong after an intense three-day schedule. Stingray maintained a competitive level until the final heat, showing consistency and determination.
High Point Trophy: Extraordinary Achievement for Stingray
The culmination of the competition brought great pride: several Stingray athletes won High Point Trophies in their categories, a clear sign of consistency, dominance, and excellence throughout the event. This award is given only to athletes who achieve the highest total points over the four competition sessions. It recognizes talent, discipline, and consistent performance.
This achievement demonstrates not only individual capability but also the level of training and commitment of the entire Stingray team:
- Girls 8 & under, 3rd place: Mary-Ann Gammara
- Boys 8 & under, 2nd place: Duncan Ponson
- Girls 9-10, 1st place: Richmyra Hoen
- Girls 9-10, 2nd place: Iva Werleman
- Girls 11-12, 2nd place: Emma Ponson
- Boys 11-12, 1st place: Leandro Santiesteban
Each Competition Builds Stronger Growth
Throughout all four sessions, Stingray Swimming Team Aruba showed that they not only compete but also shape and inspire the next generation of athletes. Many PBs, numerous medals, relay victories, and excellent High Point Trophy results continue to place our team at the top of the regional competitive level.
