Our Stingrays journey began back in 2006 when our daughter Claudia was invited to join the team with a friend—and we’ve been hooked ever since! A few years later, our son Michael dove in, and I was asked to take the reins as head of the team—or risk it disappearing altogether. With both of our kids passionate about swimming, Kim and I jumped at the opportunity to keep the Stingrays alive.
Originally run by the City of Wilmington since the 1980s, the team needed a fresh start. In 2009, we brought on Coach David Kesler, and together we transformed the Stingrays from a modest 24 swimmers into a powerhouse of 212 by 2016! When Coach Dave and his wife started their family, we welcomed the amazing Coach Chelsea Tomko, who brought energy, heart, and dedication to our swimmers until 2021.
In 2022, I returned to the pool deck alongside Claudia—now not just my daughter, but my coaching partner. Together, we’ve continued to grow the team and welcome new families into our incredible Stingray swim family every summer. Over the years, we’ve built lasting friendships and cheered on swimmers who still keep in touch long after their final lap.
Our philosophy is simple: have fun, swim hard, and build a team where every swimmer belongs. Summer 2023 marked our most successful season in decades, placing 3rd at the Wilmington Swim League Championships—and we followed that with a strong 4th place finish in 2024. Last season, we again finished 3rd overall.
We’d love for your family to be part of our story. Join the Stingrays in the summer of 2026 and experience the fun, friendships, and fierce competition that make our team truly special!
Hey there! For those who don’t know me, I’m Marcus’ daughter—and a lifelong Stingray at heart. I started swimming with the team when I was just 4 years old and stayed in the water every summer until I aged out at 18. Now I’m 24, working full-time in clinical research by day and heading straight to the pool every evening to volunteer with the team I love.
The Stingrays truly mean the world to me. Summer swim has been the heartbeat of every summer I’ve ever known, and being part of this team is something I look forward to all year long.
After all these years, I know this team inside and out—so if you ever have questions and can’t reach my dad, I’ve got you covered! I can’t wait for another unforgettable summer with the best team around. Let’s go, Stingrays!