The Gridley High School Swim Team is all smiles at one of their practices. Photo courtesy of GHS Swim

GRIDLEY, CA (MPG) - Gridley High School (GHS) swim is already partway through their season and it’s going swimmingly.

This year, GHS Swim is led by first year coach, Shannon Job, who is no stranger to swimming.

“I swam seasonally for 10 years and in high school for four years,” Job said. “Our city pool went out of commission my senior year so we had to work with what we had and would practice in the Sacramento River. We would sprint from dock to dock and tread water while holding levee rocks over our heads. When we didn’t practice in the river, we would drive out of town to use the closest lap pool.”

Job has incorporated “dryland practice” to training routines of the GHS team.

“The kids (swim team) showed up in force and put in work. They had dryland practice twice a week all of August and the last half of July,” she added.

The swim team has been practicing since July. Photo courtesy of GHS Swim

Job continues to tout the dedication of her swimmers, who often train in colder weather months in the unheated Gridley Public Pool.

“These kids talk about practicing in wetsuits in the colder months and that type of dedication is hard to find. These kids show how they are better for the obstacles they have overcome, and it really is inspiring,” Job said.

Assistant Coach Gordon LaBuff, who has been coaching for three years, said that the team is a great mix of old and new faces. He believes this will be a strong season.

“We’ve already had over 10 individual qualifications for various events in just this first meet,” said LaBuff.

This year, GHS Swim boasts a varying roster of about 20 swimmers, currently 13 ladies and seven gentlemen.

On the starting block of their race is Billy and Jack Routon, who scored first and second place at this meet. Photo courtesy of GHS Swim

Senior swimmers include Annie Woods and Tori Williams for the females, and Jace Lewellen and Ryan Taranto for the males.

As for leading the team and goals for the season, Coach Job said, “We want to win our heats, win overall, win meets, win masters, but also, we want to win by dropping time, trying new events and learning and improving our swim skills. We want to push ourselves and others to improve individually and as a team.”

GHS Swim Team’s next home meet is at 3:30 p.m. Sept. 19. A snack bar at the meet will serve as a fundraiser for the team and go directly into the program.