Even with the Haines High School basketball teams out of town for a second consecutive weekend, the school grounds will be packed with activities through Sunday.
The Haines Dolphins swim team is hosting its annual Winter Games North meet on Saturday and Sunday, with about 70 visiting swimmers anticipated from Juneau and Whitehorse.
This weekend also will feature the return of the Triple Threat middle school basketball tournament. Juneau boys’ and girls’ teams are set to clash with the Glacier Bears, Friday through Sunday.
Swim coach Robert Butker said more than 20 Dolphins will participate in the meet, which is scheduled to start 9 a.m. each day.
Dolphin Emma Dohrn, 8, said the annual home meet is less stressful than traveling for events.
“I swim faster when I’m at Haines, because I’m not as scared,” she said.
Another Dolphin, 11-year-old Emma Gillham, said the Winter Games will be her first meet ever. She said her 100-yard butterfly event would be especially challenging, because “your arms are just constantly moving” and the dolphin kicks also are exhausting.
The team especially is in need of timers to help run the meet, and Butker noted Sunday volunteers “will be out before the Super Bowl.” Call Leslie Ross at 314-0543 to sign up.
The Triple Threat schedule was yet to be finalized as of Wednesday, but games were expected to start 4 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. Saturday, in both school gyms. Sunday game times were to be determined.
Both events this weekend will include fundraising dinners, with the basketball players hosting a pulled pork sandwich meal around 5:30 p.m. Friday and the swimmers hosting a spaghetti feed 5:30-8 p.m. Saturday. Meals are $10 for adults, with reduced rates for children.