LAMORINDA WEEKLY | Four Orinda Aquatics Swimmers Honored by Pacific Swimming


From left: Mary Allison Ashby, Steven Stumph, Megan Liang, Sven Campbell, Coach Don Heidary Photo provided

On Sunday, November 21, four swimmers from Orinda Aquatics were recognized by Pacific Swimming, an organization of more than 100 clubs and 15,000 athletes. The swimmers were honored at a banquet at the Pleasanton Hilton attended by over 500 swimmers, coaches and officials.

Mary Allison Ashby was recognized for her swimming short course season in the 12-year old age group, in which she was ranked sixth in the nation for her 100 yard backstroke and set a Pacific Swimming record. She achieved top 10 finishes in Pacific Swimming for 50 free, 100 free, 200 free, 500 free, 50 back, 100 back, 200 back and 50 butterfly.

Sven Campbell was recognized for his long course season in the 15-year old age group, in which he was ranked third in the nation for his 100 meter freestyle and seventh for 200 free, ninth for the 100 back and seventh for 200 back. He also achieved top two finishes in Pacific Swimming for the 50 free, 100 free, 200 free, 100 back, 200 back and 200 individual medley.

Steven Stumph was recognized for his long course season in the 16-year old age group, in which he was ranked fourth in the nation for his 200 meter breaststroke, fifth in the 100 breast, seventh in the 200 individual medley and sixth in the 400 individual medley. He also achieved top two finishes in Pacific Swimming for the same events, and placed tenth for the 100 butterfly. Steven also qualified for the 2012 Olympic trials.

Ashby, Campbell and Stumph are also ranked in the All-Time Top 100 of USA Swimming.

Megan Liang was awarded the Walt Eggert Disability Achievement Award for her performance and her inspiration over the past year. Besides being an integral part of the Orinda Aquatics team, Liang has traveled to the Paralympics in Texas and Canada, where she placed in the top 50 in a number of events.