RCS dives into new competition
RCS
hopes to make a splash with its new
athletic pursuit not just too big
of one.
The
district added the last piece to the
swim team puzzle a diving board -
in late November. The board, which
cost $9,600 - $3,000 less than
budgeted - will allow RCS swimmers
to fully compete in swim meets,
instead of starting each meet with a
13 point deficit because it could
not field or conduct diving
competitions.
Now
the district must train its divers
to complete the somersaults, back
flips and still make a smooth,
nearly splash less entry into the
water.
Students and the public are invited
to take part in a six-week diving
clinic, which will be offered for
six consecutive Sundays, starting on
January 6. The class will be divided
into three skill levels
introduction, intermediate and
advanced. The cost of the clinic is
$25 per person for beginners and $40
for levels two and three. The cost
covers the salary of the instructors
- Dave Burns and
Lori Houghtaling, who was nationally
ranked in the sport, as well as related
facility costs. Checkout the RCS
website later this week for more on
the class.
Burns said
the diving board is also open for
public use from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
on Fridays.
While the RCS Aquatics Center opened
in mid-2005 and the district fielded
its first competitive swim teams
last school year, the teams have had
to struggle to win each competition
it takes part in.
Its difficult to start each meet
13 points down, said Burns.
Starting next school year, the boys
and girls swim teams will field
competitors for each meet who will
be required to perform six dives.
