Font ResizeSuch was the case when the Cross Keys Village and Brethren Home Community opened its doors and brand new aquatic center for the New Oxford swim team to use for its practices.
Because of it, the number of Colonials' swimmers jumped from 22 in 2008-09 to 36 at the start of this season.
That boost in numbers tells the story, and while the Harvey S. Kline Wellness Center on the Brethren Home campus is a very nice facility a mere four miles away from the high school, another factor has made the biggest difference.
In previous seasons, New Oxford trained at the Hanover YMCA, which according to coach Cheryl Mowery, was nice. But practices were held at 5 a.m.
Now the team is on a normal workout schedule, practicing after school.
"When I took a survey, about 14 kids said they would not swim if they had to go at 5 a.m." Mowery said. "The 3 o'clock to 5 o'clock time spot has been wonderful. I think they are more wide awake after school than they were in the morning."
And the timing was right for the facility, as many of the residents are preparing for dinner in the 3-5 p.m. window.
"It works great for us because we are just getting out of school and it works great for them," Mowery said. "The kids have a more positive attitude towards swimming."
Senior Kim Ruhlman swam many of those painful mornings. She is glad for the change.
"It's a lot better.
It wouldn't seem like the team would have more room, considering the size of the new facility and the 25-yard four-lane pool is smaller. But while the YMCA pool had six lanes, the team could only use three because the other half of the pool was reserved for members, even at 5 a.m.
Rob DiDomenico moved into the district this school year from Bellingham, Mass. He said the sport is better in Central Pennsylvania and being able to practice close to school has been an advantage.
"Swimming is much more serious here. I am impressed with how the coaches handle things," DiDomenico said. "It keeps us on a level I didn't expect. It's the challenge that makes it fun."
Plus there should be a long-term benefit to the Colonials as the school will finally be able to host a "Learn-to-swim" age group program in the spring and fall.
Of course, reaching the agreement took some work, and Mowery credited district superintendent Dr. Daniel Trimmer with getting the ball rolling.
"When Dr. Trimmer heard they were building a pool, he met with the (Brethren Home) administration to find out (if) there was a possibility we could rent pool time," Mowery said. "(The pool) was actually going to be shorter, but they agreed to make it longer.
"Dr. Trimmer worked out all the details for us to be able to use the facility, and the people here have been wonderful."
Mowery said that some of the residents have enjoyed sharing the place, as well. In fact, several of them were poolside during a meet-and-greet night and watched the kids swim.
Obviously with the size of the new pool, the Colonials will remain an all-away team for meets. The school has "hosted" just one meet in its nine seasons, when it swam against Central York before the Panthers built their own pool -- and that meet was held at South Western.
Still, the improved turnout can only help the team during the dual meet season.
"We will be more competitive in the sense that we will be able to fill the events and the guys will be able to have relays this year," Mowery said. "They will be happy with that."
Although the increased number of athletes could mean more work for Mowery and stroke coach Dave Eck, they know it's all about the sport.
"The thing I really like about (swimming) is once they learn, they can do it for a lifetime," Mowery said. "I coach field hockey. I do not know many 80-year-old ladies playing field hockey, but I do know 80-year-olds that swim."
In this case, in the same pool the Colonials use.
snavaroli@ydr.com; 771-2060
