C-Falls and Whitefish lining up swim team program

A joint swim team for Columbia Falls and Whitefish high schools is considered likely next school fall. The team had approval last year, but before any swimmers could make a lap, The Wave fitness center said it couldn’t accommodate the team because of a scheduling conflict.

However, a group of swimming supporters have returned with a similar proposal and have asked the Whitefish and the Columbia Falls school boards for their approvals.

The estimated $8,000 to $12,000 cost of the swim team program would be covered through private fundraising by team members and parents.

The swim season runs from mid-November to mid-February. Practices are scheduled to be held at The Wave from 8 to 9:30 p.m.

“That will have less impact on the members of The Wave,” organizer Courtney Babcock said. “We talked to the Flathead and Glacier teams, who both went to that schedule this year, and they said it works better for the swimmers and coaches.”

If both school boards approve the plan, the swim group will apply for approval with the Montana High School Association for inclusion as a state-sanctioned sport.

The team would include both boys and girls and would likely compete in the Class A division. The team is expected to have about a dozen swimmers.

Columbia Falls is considered the sponsor of the team, with Whitefish joining as a cooperative. This means the Columbia Falls school district will employ the coach and oversee the team funds. Under the agreement, both schools’ athletic directors will be involved in hiring coaches.

“Someone has suggested we be the Catfish,” Babcock said about a mascot. “There’s other ideas out there, too, but we want to be a combined team — not two separate teams.”

Both towns have swim teams that are not school-sanctioned.

The Columbia Falls team competes during summer with all age levels, and the Wave Ryders compete year-round and is made up of mostly elementary and junior high age swimmers.

“When swimmers get to high school, we sometimes lose them if it’s not school-sponsored,” Babcock said. “I’d rather have them in the pool and staying out of trouble.”