Barker sets four pool records, wins four events

By DAVID BELL
Monday, February 1, 2010 7:08 AM MST

LAKE HAVASU CITY — Change the name of the Lake Havasu City Aquatic Center to Courtney Barker’s Pool.

Barker set four new pool records en route to winning her four events during Day 2 of the fourth annual Ride the Wave Winter Challenge swim meet Sunday at the Aquatic Center. She was also the first place points winner in the Girls 15-and-over Division with seven first place finishes and one second place over the two-day meet.

“I think it’s because of hard work in practice,” Barker said. “Plus, today I saw a little better competition and these were my best events.”

Barker and the Stingrays competed against teams from Anthem, Casa Grande, Kingman, Phoenix and Tempe. Barker set her records in the 100m and 800m Freestyle and 50m and 100m Backstroke.

Two other members of the Havasu Stingrays Swim Team walked away with top honors in their age divisions: Caden Carver and Mickey Scharbrough. Carver took first in the Boys 11-12 Division thanks to six first place finishes, three seconds and one third. Meanwhile Scharbrough swept all eight of his events in the Boys 13-14 Division.

“I had a great weekend,” he said after winning his final race, the 200m Breaststroke.

The Stingrays also had six swimmers finish in the Top 3 for the meet. Aubriella Carver was second in Girls 6-and-under, Alexandra Johnson was second in Girls 11-12, Tatum Liska was second in Girls 7-8, Arlen Dean was third in Boys 13-14, Chloe Johnson was third in Girls 9-10 and McKenna Wales was third in Girls 11-12.

“I was happy knowing our kids did well, but to see the number of swimmers — especially younger swimmers — finishing in the Top 3 is pretty exciting,” said Stingrays head coach Mike Taylor. “I think this means we can anticipate good things next month at regionals.”

Also in March, three members of the Stingrays — Scharbrough, Caden Carver and Alex Johnson — will represent Arizona at the Four Corners Swim Meet, March 26-28 in Farmington, N.M.