The Big Sandy Mountaineer -

The Barracuda Swim Team started out with a splash! No pun intended. The under eight relay team made up of four boys started the race from the starting blocks with a big belly flop. One of the boys laughingly told me the splash he made blinded the other swimmers and helped him get ahead.

It was a nice day and surprisingly bug free for Harlem. There were 14 teams totaling 140 swimmers Big Sandy had 25 of their 43 swimmers there for this first meet. There are six meets before Divisional which will be held in Chouteau July 28th - 29th.

It's a little different atmosphere then other sporting events, because everyone is sitting outside under the shade tents until a Big Sandy swimmer is racing. Also, outside on the side of the pool are bleachers to sit on if you're a serious swim geek and want to watch every race for two days.

Entire families come, allowing the little ones to play in the grass or in the playground, others sitting in the shade with a slight breeze reading a book. Others are eating picnic food, or snacking on healthy food all day. There is a concession stand if you want your typical sporting event food.

There were some little ones from other towns who had to stop and rest by holding themselves on the ropes. Some swimmers swam long distances. Success was measured on seconds cut from last summer racing times. I saw a few already limping from pulled muscles and one boy told me, "I'm going to be the next Michael Phelps."

Henry Merrill one of the youngest on the team, gets ready to dive in for his race. Henry placed third over all in his age group at the Harlem meet

You can see the kids that are participating receiving positive input from all team members, coaches and all the parents present. Sportsmanship wasn't just encouraged but insisted on. The adults sitting by me recognized that not a one of us could swim like any kid out there were. Even the little ones put so much effort into it. The start of the season has now established goals for every swimmer and with each second faster they are proving they are physically stronger and developing a positive outlook and self-esteem.

According to the centers for disease Control and Prevention swimming is good for children's mental health because it can improve mood and decrease anxiety. They maintain that swimming together, and attending swim meets helps build a strong sense of extended family, which appears to be evident at the Barracudas' camp site.

The next meet is in Shelby June 9th followed by Chester June 23rd - 24th. Come and enjoy the events.