by John Heglie, special for the Leader

 

When the current Polson High School first opened its doors the second semester of 1974, rumors circulated about an olympic size swimming pool that had been part of the original plans which were scuttled on account of budget overrun. How much substance lay behind that rumor or whether it was more akin to a local variation of an urban legend is open to debate. But at the very least the vision for an area swim team traces back half a century.

That vision provided much of the impetus behind the fundraising, groundbreaking and eventual completion of the Mission Valley Aquatics and Fitness (MVAF) Center at the Ridgewater Complex in Polson, which was begun in 2003 and completed a decade later in 2013.

Vaulting ahead 47 years to the winter of 2021, Polson High School will finally field its first ever swim team with the addition of the sport to winter athletic offerings. In a collaborative effort between Polson School District and the Polson Parent Swim Club group for an initial five year commitment, the school district agreed to cover program expenses that include travel costs as well as hiring of a coach, while the parental Swim Club group covers operational expenses related to gear, pool rent and associated equipment. The Greater Polson Community Foundation, Donna Rolfson Trust, Lake Seed Potato Fundraiser as well as the parental Swim Club group have each contributed to funding gear and facility usage. The High School itself does not have a pool, so all local competitions will be held at the MVAF Center. 

Shayna Swanson takes the helm as Polson's first swim coach in their inaugural season. A small group of dedicated competitors will comprise the first Pirate swim team, each competing in multiple events somewhat similar to spring track, two individual events along with two relays. Who will be competing in which events remains in a state of flux at this juncture of the schedule. Many members among the nascent Pirate swim team have been competing for several years as part of the Lake Monsters Swim Team in club competitions.

Due to precautionary measures related to the current virus pandemic climate, several meets this season will be of a virtual variety, held at the home pool of each participant with the results then compiled and distributed by the host school. Polson inaugurates their schedule with virtual participation in the Kalispell Invitational with Pirate entries swimming at the MVAF pool.