High school swim team approved

Whitefish and Columbia Falls have joined together to create a cooperative swim team.

The Whitefish School Board on April 10 approved an agreement to create the team. Columbia Falls School Board also signed off on the contract.

A group of swimming supporters asked the two districts for approval of the cooperative agreement creating the joint team. The proposal will be taken to the Montana High School Association for final approval.

Under the agreement, Columbia Falls will serve as the host school, handle the business transactions for the team and hire the coach.

Several individuals representing the Columbia Falls swim club and Whitefish Wave Ryders swim club partnered for the proposal. A newly formed Cooperative Swim Club will be responsible for funding the program for the three years of the agreement beginning the 2012-2013 school year.

The cooperative is currently negotiating with The Wave for the use of its facilities for team practices and meets.

A survey of Whitefish and Columbia Falls students found that 30 students would be interested in joining the team.

The team includes both boys and girls and would likely compete in the Class A division. The swim season runs mid-November to mid-February. No home meets are expected for the opening season.

Mike Nelson, who serves as head coach for the Columbia Falls team and assistant coach for the Wave Ryders, spoke to the board last month.

“We have kids that are in high school or are close to high school that are looking for an opportunity to swim,” Nelson said. “We have good swimmers in Columbia Falls and Whitefish.”