Blair Swim Team's season goes on with adjustments made

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Setup started at 5 p.m.
Warmups began at 6.
And, finally, at 7 p.m. Thursday the Blair Family YMCA Swim Team's second meet of the fall commenced in its home pool. Though limited by COVID-19, the Barracudas are working on their swimming skills and putting their best times up against the competition from YMCAs in the area.
“I'm happy given the circumstances,” Blair coach Skylar Tatreau said, noting her youth team's participation numbers of 22 boys and 31 girls. “It is a bit smaller than last year, but, granted, with everything that's going on, it's a totally understandable situation.”
The swimmers practice each week and have completed two intrasquad meets — Thursday's and another in October. Each team in the Barracudas' YMCA league does the same before all squads compare times at the end of the month to establish event winners.
While Blair is in competition with its usual opposition, the swimmers aren't seeing those foes in person, which has given coaches incentive to keep their youngsters focused on being the best they can be.
“We're trying to figure out how to motivate the kids,” Tatreau said. “Some of the ways we've done that is making these swim meets live-streamed, so that way their family and friends are able to watch the meet. But also, in the pool, too, we're here to encourage them. I'm telling them, 'Hey, all of your other teammates are here to compete with you.'”
Turning practice sessions into competition is another way coaches are pushing their athletes, who, on Thursday, ranged in ages from 5 to 15. Fun activities also have room during practice, though, too.
“Trying to make it as normal as possible,” Tatreau said.
Overall, the Barracuda coach is pleased with how her team has handle swimming season amid COVID-19 guidelines.
“With the circumstances, I feel it's amazing to still be in the pool area to do what I love,” Tatreau said. “To be able to coach the kids and share what I love. I'm very proud of my swimmers and what they've accomplished so far.”
Those accomplishments build upon themselves each time Blair-area kids dive into the YMCA pool.
“It's awesome to see, each practice, how much they progress,” their coach added, a smile evident beneath her mask.

Blair Swim Team