One-year absence doesn't hinder Marion swim team
Sports reporter
When more than five percent of an entire town participates in one event, it must be a big deal.
The Marion/USD 408 REC swimming team can make that claim with 95 members age six to 18.
Their leader is Marion Elementary School principal Rod Garman, who brings 14 years of coaching experience to the squad.
"I love the kids here," Garman, who just completed his first year at MES said. "I am surprised to have this many."
It's been two years since Marion had its own swim team, and this year they are competing in the new six-lane, indoor pool built on top of the exact spot of the former pool.
"[The pool] is a great facility," Garman said. "It will be a great asset to the community."
Garman, who has coached at club, high school, and competitive year-round levels, said it is one of the nicer facilities he has experienced.
"We don't have to worry about the weather," Garman said.
He said the kids joke about the fact they never get to miss practice because of the rain.
But Garman knows even though swim practice can be tough, his swimmers love being in the water.
"The kids love the pool," Garman said.
They are pretty good in it as well, and they proved that by winning their first two meets of the season.
Those involved with the swim team say they don't ever remember beating the SuperSwimmers from Peabody.
"They swam well. It was a big win," Garman said.
The team's success also has come with the help of volunteers.
Garman said Susan Hall, who has daughters on the team, has been spending a lot of time as an "unofficial assistant coach."
"Bless her soul," Garman said. "She has helped a lot with the younger kids."
Garman said he also appreciated some of the older swimmers who stay after practice to help, and parents who volunteer their time.
Hard work
Swim practice runs Monday through Friday with the older swimmers taking the first shift around 8 a.m., and the younger swimmers finishing at 10 a.m.
Garman said his team works hard at practice, and the older swimmers stretch and do some abdominal work before hitting the water.
He doesn't require any conditioning outside of practice, only a good work ethic while at practice.
"If we win, great," Garman said. "But our main goals will be working on technique and improving.
"I told them we don't have to be the fastest to win. We have to be the smartest."
That means fine-tuning their starts off the blocks, and turns and proper finishes while in the water.
Although just two meets into the season, Garman is impressed with his swimmers, especially since some did not swim last year.
He talked of a story at the first meet that included six swimmers in the distance freestyle race.
From his past coaching in Topeka, nine and 10-year-olds swam 50 meters in the distance race, but it's 100 in Marion's league.
When Garman found out just before the race, he told the six it was his fault and they didn't have to compete if they didn't want to.
"Every one of them said 'We can do it,'" Garman said. "And they did it well."
After competing Saturday in its second meet of the season, the Marion Swim Team has two meets left before the 10-team league meet.
Marion was supposed to play host, but the meet has been moved to Lindsborg because the locker and bathrooms and outside deck-area by the pool are not guaranteed to be completed by the July 12 date.
Garman was disappointed they wouldn't be hosting the meet, but was glad Lindsborg stepped up.
Now, if Marion plays host next year, Garman will have this year to see how the large meet is run.
"We just have to be patient," he said.
For now, all Garman cares about is his swimmers improving and having fun.
"The kids make it worthwhile," he said.
All 95 of them.
