This year’s Haines Dolphins swim team is looking strong.
A high number of swimmers, 21 or 22, have qualified to compete in the Southeast Championships in Juneau on Dec. 2-4. First-year head coach Erin Pratt said she could not be happier or more excited about the team’s progress so far.
“We’ve had some good success because the kids are really dedicated to getting best times and to doing better,” she said. “They are also really excited for the Southeast Championships, which is kind of what we’ve been building towards since September in every week and every practice.”
Pratt said the number of qualified youths is double or triple what Haines usually sends to the competition.
Long-time assistant coach and parent volunteer Jim Green echoed Pratt’s sentiments.
“This will be the largest group in years that’s headed to the Southeast Championships, and the kids seem to be really enjoying themselves and that’s the biggest part for me. The competition side of things is great, too, but the fact they are truly having fun is testament to the group we have and the job Erin is doing,” Green said. “She’s been fantastic.”
Three swimmers also have already qualified for the Alaska Junior Olympics swim meet in Anchorage on April 27-30.
Fifth-grader Rio Ross-Hirsh, fourth-grader Emma Dohrn and fourth-grader Pacific Ricke will swim in the meet. The Alaska Junior Olympics is the club team equivalent of the state championship competition for public schools.
The upcoming Southeast Championships meet will feature swimmers from clubs in Craig, Juneau, Ketchikan, Petersburg, Sitka and Wrangell.
In the upcoming year, the Haines Dolphins will host the Winter Games home meet on the weekend of Jan. 20-22.