Swim team tunes up for season

The local Blue Dolphin Swim Club is a member of the Southern Illinois Swim League, SISL, along with Du Quoin, Harrisburg, Salem, Centralia, Mt. Vernon, and perennial powerhouses Marion and Herrin.

In an early shakedown cruise for the Dolphins and the Calvert City, Ky., team, a mini-meet was held at the city pool. No score was kept.

Coach Natalie McLean explained the value of the meet: “Coaches saw several things to work on in practice. We need to work on starts, turns, and technique in every stroke.”

On Tuesday, June 22, the Dolphins host Marion. Following home meets are July 1 (Du Quoin), July 15 (Salem) and July 20 (Herrin).

In addition to a dual meet with each league team, the team also competes in three invitationals.

Du Quoin hosts the season finale championship meet on July 31.

Dolphin alums coach the team. McLean is a former SIU swimmer and Elizabeth Bell begins in August to swim for the University of Illinois.