Swim team ready to hit the pool

The Columbia Falls outdoor swim team will kick off its season soon, with a familiar name at head coach. Mike Nelson will coach the squad this year. He’s also the head coach of the Columbia Falls-Whitefish high school swim team.

Nelson will take over the outdoor program from Deidre Loyda, the team’s coach for the past several years. He has also coached the outdoor program in the past.

The team has been practicing on dry land and started swimming indoors at The Wave in Whitefish earlier this week. They’ll transition to the Columbia Falls pool next week. Their first meet will be in the Bitterroot on June 13-14. Columbia Falls will host the divisional tournament on July 24-25.

Nelson said 52 swimmers have registered so far, including returning swimmers Connor Cheff, Bryce Dunham, Kimberly Peacock and Russell Albin.

The Montana Federation of Swimmers does not allow swimmers to compete who swim year-round. It is a developmental league, and Nelson looks at it as a great feeder program for the high schools and the Wave Ryders. Swimmers who do compete all year can practice with the team and attend meets, but their times don’t count toward point standings.

Nelson is assisted by Alon Golan, his son Dalton Nelson and daughter Karyssa Nelson.