Stingrays + Pups Swim team
The Tucson J Stingrays Swim Team is a competitive swim program for children ages 4-18, focusing on building strong work ethic, team building, and sportsmanship. Swimmers develop essential skills through regular practice and participation in meets, while also gaining valuable life lessons that extend beyond the pool. The team is open to swimmers of all levels, with new athletes welcome throughout the year.
For those transitioning from swim lessons to the team, the Stingrays Pups Program provides a bridge, offering focused practice to hone skills and prepare for competition. Swimmers are placed in appropriate practice groups based on their abilities, with regular tryouts and assessments to ensure they are supported and challenged. Whether new to the sport or a returning athlete, the Stingrays team fosters growth, camaraderie, and excellence in every swimmer!
Stingray Pups Program
The Stingrays Pups Program is the perfect place for future athletes who are interested in joining the Stingrays Swim Team but need some extra prep to make it happen! Preps practices bridge the gap between group swim lessons and the swim-team environment.
In the Stingrays Pups Program, future athletes will work with a coach or instructor in the water to hone skills essential to success in a competitive swim program. Participants will attend classes three times each week, which acquaints them with the expectations in the Swim Team program. Additionally, athletes will get to work with some of the Stingray coaches, developing relationships that will extend to their time on the Team. After each session, the last class will include a tryout for the Team. Responsible adults and future athletes will be given a report card that summarizes the participant’s progress toward program goals (swim-team readiness).
- 4:30 PM to
- 5:00 PM
Stingrays Monthly Open + Returning Swimmer Assessments
Interested in joining the Stingrays Swim Team? Swimmers ages 5-18 of all skill levels are invited to try out for our competitive team. During open assessments, athletes will be asked to demonstrate competitive strokes including freestyle, backstroke, butterfly and breast stroke and coach(es) will have a short consultation with the athlete and their parents/guardian. Youngest swimmers will swim first!
Returning athletes who have been out of the water for more than one month are also required to complete a tryout to determine appropriate group placement. While placement with the athlete’s previous group is preferred, it is not guaranteed.
Upon completion of the assessment the Head Coach will respond to the parent of the prospective Stingray within two business days and recommend the appropriate placement.
Register for the Stingrays
- 4:30 PM to
- 5:00 PM
- 5:15 PM to
- 6:00 PM
Evan Holt
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Coach Evan is a former Division I swimmer who competed for both the University of Iowa and the University of Arizona. He scored at conference championships and was a member of NCAA championship qualifying relays. As a coach, Evan focuses on creating an environment where swimmers can come to have fun and learn to swim faster. He believes that fast swimmers are happy swimmers and is passionate about passing on his knowledge and love for the sport with the next generation!
Will Meyers
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Coach Will is a current member of the Arizona Wildcat’s swim team! Originally from Cincinnati, Ohio, Will has been swimming for the past 12 years and has numerous accomplishments, most recently finishing runner-up in the 200 Backstroke at the 2025 Big 12 Championships with the fifth fastest time in Arizona history! Will looks forward to sharing his knowledge of the sport with the Stingrays.
Maddy Ahluwalia
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Coach Maddy has been a competitive swimmer for 14 years, competing at the collegiate level for the University of Arizona for all four years. Throughout her college career Maddy earned the CSCAA Second Team All-American honors, as well as helping Arizona get to a 3rd place finish in the 200 Medley Relay at the Pac-12 Conference. Now as a retired swimmer, Maddy has turned to coaching at the Tucson J, she loves coaching kids of all ages, and hosting breaststroke specific stroke clinics.
Ryan Perham
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Coach Ryan is a dedicated swim coach and former Division I athlete with over 20 years of experience in competitive swimming and water polo. He competed for the University of Arizona, specializing in sprint freestyle and butterfly events. During his collegiate career, Ryan earned CSCAA All-American honors and contributed to setting a school record in the 200 freestyle relay, which placed 12th at the NCAA Division I Championships. He also helped secure a third-place finish in the 400 freestyle relay at the Pac-12 Championships. After his competitive years, Ryan transitioned into coaching, working with swimmers of all ages and skill levels, including those with special education needs. He now coaches on the Tucson J’s Stingrays team and teaches private swimming lessons.
Got what it takes to be a Stingray?
Contact Evan Holt, call 520.299.3000 or visit our swim team website.
