By John McDonald
Prep Editor
Life for high school swimmers and their coaches just got more complicated.
The National Federation of State High School Associations, of which the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association is a member, has eliminated the option to use 18-inch starting platforms in pools with water depths less than 4 feet.
The change affects four pools used by Western Conference teams: the Mount Vernon YMCA, Mariner High School, Everett Community College and Hal Moe pool in Snohomish.
Starts at those pools must now take place in the water or from the pool deck.
And the Federation is considering making the minimum depth 5 feet for the 2002-2003 school year. That would affect the Stanwood Sports Club pool.
Most coaches object to the change. John Pringle of Snohomish said starting from the deck creates problems at pools which rely on electronic timers and that deck starts are dangerous in relays events. He said the second, third and fourth swimmers on a relay team can’t get the necessary distance on their dives to clear the body of their teammate in the pool.
Pringle suggests that the NFHS adopt the same policy as the United States Swim Federation, which bans platforms in shallow pools for practice, but allows them in competition.
“Teach starts in deep water only,” Pringle said. “If they’re taught properly, there are no injuries. If they’re supervised properly, there are no injuries.”
Pringle said he is unaware of any injury in a Wesco meet at any of the pools in question.
On the road: Shorewood wrestler Matt Weurffel missed the Thunderbirds’s season-opening dual meet against Squalicum on Dec. 4 while making football recruiting trips to Columbia and Harvard.
Wrestling scholarship: The Washington State Wrestling Coaches Association and the family of Graham Baker Morin, a former three-time state champion and two-time All-American, are jointly sponsoring a college scholarship for high school senior wrestlers. The $3,000 scholarship will be awarded annually to a scholar-athlete who plans to wrestle in college. The first scholarship will be awarded in May. Inquiries regarding the scholarship can be directed to coach Brian Smith of Bellingham High School, 2020 Cornwall Ave., Bellingham, WA, 98215. Applications will be available on the coaches’ website, www.wswca.com, in the near future.
Swimmer signs: Kate McCary of Edmonds, a senior at Bishop Blanchet High School, has signed an NCAA letter of intent to swim at the University of Nevada-Reno. McCary, who was sixth in the 200- and 500-yard freestyle races at the 3A state meet, will compete in college as a middle- and long-distance freestyle swimmer.
Coaches sought: Archbishop Murphy High School has openings for volleyball and softball coaches. For more information, contact athletic secretary Nicole McClelland at 425-379-6363.
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