Douglas County Stingray swimmer Justin Moore had a productive homecoming at the SCAT Fall Invitational last week in Jonesboro.

Moore, who joined the Stingrays over the summer, was a two-time all-star swimmer for the Jonesboro-based Southern Crescent Aquatic Team. In his first meet at Steve Lundquist Aquatic Center as a Stingray, the 12-year-old Moore reached one of his seasonal goals.

He won the 100-yard backstroke with a time of 1:00.87 to achieve a senior state qualifying time.

“I’m happy with finally reaching that goal,” Moore said. “I’ve been trying to get it all season. I feel this will push me to do much better this season.”

Doing it at his former home pool was even more special.

“It was pretty cool doing it in front of several of my old friends,” Moore said. “I think they were rooting for me to get it.”

In addition to his senior cut time, Moore compiled 146 points to finish third among the boys’ 11-12 age group for highpoint. He also won the 50 back event and was runner-up in two other races and third in another.

There were seven other swimmers that placed in the top 15 in scoring for their respective age group.

Douglas County had its biggest showing in the 11-12 age groups with three swimmers finishing in the top 10 at the two-day meet. Chloe Miller, 11, had a team-leading 154.5 points to finish second in scoring. Emily Najar, 11, was fifth in scoring with 121 points while 11-year-old Kamaria Mahone was sixth in scoring with 120 points.

The threesome had 26 combined top 10 finishes.

In the 8-and-under age group, Riley Hagy had 144 points to finish third while her brother, Jesse, 9, was ninth in the 9-10 division. Riley Hagy, 7, had seven third place finishes and a second place finish. In the 200 free and 100 breast, she dropped double-digit time.

Madison Moore, 9, and Atoria Mills, 14, were 14th in their respective age divisions.

“This past weekend was our third swim meet in a row,” Stingrays coach Judy Prokopiak said. “Although the kids were tired from more challenging workouts as well as getting up and racing each week, they continued to pull out some great races and finishes.  I was especially pleased with their ability to hold technique to garner best times during their races. We had excellent efforts from out beginners all the way to our senior swimmers.”

Moore, Miller and Najar also achieved state cut times in one event each. Moore dropped 3.40 seconds from 100 breaststroke to get a state cut. He had a time of 1:19.6 to place fifth at the SCAT meet.

Najar went 2:35.8 to finish third in the 200 Individual Medley to garner a state cut time while Miller placed third in the 200 freestyle with a time of 2:15.8 make a qualifying time.  

The Stingrays will return back to competition on Nov. 6-8 when they travel to Carrollton to participate in the Fall Classic Invite at the Lakeshore Natatorium.