AquaGators dive into first swim meet

DIVE IN:
Swimmers from across the north state dive into the drink at a meet in Etna last weekend.

The Anderson AquaGators go way back. Marc Soares, an AquaGator himself nearly 40 years ago, has coached the summer competitive team for the past eight years.

"When I started coaching, the team was more recreational. In the past seven years, we've stepped up the competition," says Soares, who also coaches the West Valley High School team.

Indeed they have. For the past three years, the AquaGators have taken first place in Caldwell Park's North Valley Aquatic League. They swim in four weekend meets during the summer. In those meets, Aquagator scores are tops across the board.

The first of those meets took place last weekend at Etna High and Community pool in Scott Valley, where the AquaGators took first place with 1,141 points, and Weaverville finished a distant second with 767 points. The AquaGators competed against Red Bluff, Scott Valley, Redding, Weaverville, Weed, Grants Pass and Yreka. Team members ages range from 5 to 18 years and compete in the four basic strokes: freestyle, breast stroke, backstroke and butterfly. Swimmers sign in at 7:30 a.m. each weekend day and race until mid-afternoon. The meet concluded Sunday afternoon with a coach race, team members "coaching" from the sidelines and officials disqualifying them, all in the spirit of fun.

At the Scott Valley Meet, families camp out in tents on the Etna High football field. They get to know each other. When Stacy Baldwin's three children first started swimming, the Baldwin family came to the Scott Valley Meet and knew nobody. This year, the Baldwins co-opted with several other families (15 persons strong) and planned all their meals together for the weekend.

"The best part of being on the swim team is the meets," says 11 year old Jericho Strege.

Throughout the weekend, families dine together at Bob's Ranch House, explore historic Etna and play soccer on the Etna High football field. Each year Coach Soares, author of seven published hiking books, and his wife Patty launch the weekend with a different hike. This year's hearty trek stretched through the Trinity Divide across the Seven Lake Trail and down to Lake Helen.

Many families have multiple children participating on the AquaGators, either simultaneously or consecutively.

"Swimming is a great sport for siblings," says Terri McIntosh whose sons have swam on the AquaGators for ten years. "Your kids have the same practice times and meets which makes it nice."

Tony Bohlin's four kids have been involved with the AquaGators for 18 years. His daughter, Mindy Bohlin, once swam and has helped coach the team for the past five years.

Nine years ago, when Bohlin's daughter was swimming with the team, the AquaGators competed with year-round teams which created an uneven playing field for a summer only team. In a collective move, local area summer teams began competing amongst themselves. The summer team allows children to experience competitive swimming, compete with similarly matched peers and play other sports in the off season.

Swimming is certainly a family affair. Parents are needed in a variety of volunteer roles to make the season run smoothly. Joy Nelson, mother of swimmers Holly, Lucy and Heather Taylor, volunteered to officiate at the Scott Valley Meet when another team did not bring enough officials. If she hadn't, the other team would not have been allowed to swim.

There is a community feeling amongst the swimming families of the AquaGators that is both inclusive and supportive. This community spirit extends to the swimmers as well. Older Gators mentor the younger team members. You can find the older teens illustrating the younger children's backs with various Aquagator designs, as well as encouraging them in their races.

"I think the best part of being on the swim team is making new friends and improving each time you swim," says first-year swimmer Jordan Weil of Cottonwood.

As swimmers mature, they take on leadership roles. Lexi Albion, first year coach for the ten and under age group, swam for the team for the past three years and will be entering her senior year at West High this August.

"I love coaching. It's so much fun and the kids are just great," says Albion, who hopes to return to coach again next summer.

The Anderson AquaGators are more than just a competitive 105 member team. They are a group of dedicated families who get the swimmers to practice two hours each weekday morning and/or evening during the summer. And they are a group of consistent coaches who inspire children with positive encouragement.

"What we love most is the coaching," said Andrea Strege, mother of daughters Belle and Jericho. "They do an amazing job."