Blaine swim team runs as co-op with Ferndale, Meridian

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Blaine High School’s swim team is growing. 

The school partnered with Ferndale High School in 2019 to form a co-op swim team, which head coach Julia Landon said always welcomes new students. Landon said through the co-op, Blaine, Ferndale and Meridian high schools share resources to have a combined practice team. Ferndale contracts the coaches, and Blaine and Meridian students practice with Ferndale, but during competitions, students compete separately for their schools.

All together, the team has 18 swimmers. Blaine’s team doubled from two to four swimmers this year. Ferndale has the most swimmers with 13, while Meridian has one. The team practices at Whatcom Family YMCA in Bellingham from 3:15-4:45 p.m. Monday through Friday. 

Blaine’s team comprises of Jade Shields, Eden Shields, Sylvie Lausier and Hailey Ferrell. Landon said now that they have four swimmers they can send a relay team to district championships if everyone stays healthy. 

Swimming is a great way to teach responsibility, Landon said. For students brave enough to give it a try, she said coaches will give them the tools to be confident and feel ready to compete.

Landon, who has coached Ferndale for eight seasons, said the goal for students on the swim team is to build good values. Results are always nice, she said, and the students will progress over the 10-week season, but more importantly, it’s about growing as individuals and connecting with other students through shared experiences.

“That’s really what it’s all about – building strong relationships,” Landon said.

Students looking to join the swim team can email to Blaine athletic director Chas Kok at  ckok@blainesd.org. The team has upcoming meets at Vanderzicht Memorial Pool in Oak Harbor at 4 p.m. Tuesday, September 20 and Forge Pool in Lynden at 3:30 p.m. Thursday, September 22. Their schedule can be found at bit.ly/3U5exL8.

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