Bullsharks ready to swim

COLFAX –– Summer is heating up, and so are the Colfax Bullsharks, as the swim season approaches.

Currently there are 26 swimmers registered on the team with several talented athletes returning from last year, according to head coach Janni Burt. The first practice of the season was held Monday, June 17.

“(I look forward to) just seeing the kids again,” Burt said. “They’re always so eager to work and improve themselves.”

The first swim meet of the season is scheduled to be Tuesday, July 9, in Endicott. Leaving little time to rest, the team will then head to Pomeroy on Thursday, July, 11 to compete against Garfield-Palouse-Oakesdale-Pomeroy (GPOP).

“This year is definitely going to be a building year,” Burt said. “I think one of our biggest focuses is going to be on building strong, healthy kids with stamina. A lot of our swimmers will be aging up into the next level next year and will have to adjust to swimming longer distances.”

While practices have just begun, the Bullsharks are already facing a bit of adversity.

The Colfax swimming pool is closed for the summer, so the Bullsharks are holding practices in the nearby town of Garfield, who has allowed the team to rent its pool. The Bullsharks are also renting a bus from Colfax School District and paying the driver to transport the swimmers between towns. According to Burt, these two aspects have made for a stressful financial season for the Bullsharks, but the team has been getting local support from businesses like the Thrifty Grandmothers, to help offset costs.

“Garfield has been very accommodating to us,” Burt said. “One of the biggest things we try to remember is that the Colfax Bullsharks are part of an amateur swim league and it is all about building strong swimmers who work to improve themselves. We have run into many challenges regarding practicing at another pool but have also found great camaraderie in our neighboring communities.”

After the first week of swim meets, the Bullsharks will head back to Endicott on Tuesday, July 16, and Thursday, July 18, to compete. The team will then finish out the regular season hosting “home meets” in Garfield on Tuesday, July 23, and Thursday, July 25. The championship meet will be Saturday, Aug. 3, at the Palouse pool.

“This year has been a challenge from the get go,” Burt said. “As a leadership team, we have had a lot of behind-the-scenes decisions to make and move forward with. We are now looking forward to using this unique summer to get to know many new kids and build new friendships with our neighboring communities.

“After talking with other teams from our league, it seems that this may be the case for some of them as well. What matters most is our kids learn to be strong swimmers, good team players and honest competitors all while having fun.”

Coach Burt appreciates all the hard work and dedication that goes into having a local swim team in Colfax. She said there are several people who make the Bullsharks team possible.

“We would not be able to run a successful swim team without the help of our other coaches: Sarah Mortensen, Dee Bryson, and Robin Huber,” Burt said. “The financial support of the community is vital as well. Without it, we would not have the tools needed to train them. We can never forget to thank the lifeguards that help us keep our kids safe.”