Western Oregon Journal

Issue date: 10/19/07 Section: Big Red Sports

New mural watches over Swimmers at Wolverton pool. [Click to enlarge]

At the pool this year, things are looking a bit different. It is not the lifeguards who are always alert, not the clean smell of chlorine or the omnipresent splashing. When you go inside, however, you will see that the entire North wall now stares back at you with the intimidating eyes of the Western Wolf. It is only a cosmetic change, but the intimidation factor of the giant wolf may bring a home field advantage for the Western clubs that use the pool.

One such club is Western's new swimming club. For the time being it's a just-for-fun venture, but Club President Masaki Ikeda's goal is to set up meets with other schools in the area. The club is open to all interested students, no experience is required. In fact, if you have not been brushing up on your butterfly and your dolphin-kick, the more experienced swimmers will likely be available to give you pointers and practice tips. For more information, you can contact Ikeda or the pool director Melissa Ineck. The swimming club meets for practice during the early morning swim times of 6-8 a.m. on Tuesday and Thursday and 7-8 a.m. on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

Western's water polo club is also looking to start strong this year. The club has not started practicing for the year as of yet, but plans to do so soon. As with the swimming club, experience is not necessary to be on the team. The water polo club is dedicated solely to water polo and the competition that comes along with it. The club expects to split their practice time between Wolverton Memorial Pool and the Dallas Aquatics Center, since the pool in Dallas is larger and is regulation size for water polo. Any inquiries can be directed to Abby Turver, the Water Polo Club President or to Ineck.

In addition to clubs and competition, the Western pool also has lengthened time for open lap swim and will hold events such as swim meets and the triathlon. The next swim meet will take place on Sunday, Nov. 18. It is an open meet and will require a two dollar sign-up fee.

The pool also offers Red Cross swim lessons for all skill levels at a wide variety of times, as well as aquatic fitness classes and certifications for Lifeguards, Water Safety and the Water Aerobics instructors.

Few students take advantage of their pool privileges. Student fees, automatically deducted from tuition fund students' entrance fees. Swimming can be competitive, but it is also a fun way to get fit and stay in shape. Men's basketball Coach Craig Stanger has noticed these benefits and started utalizing the pool to condition Western Oregon's basketball team.

He lets his players use the pool as an alternate form of conditioning. So whether you're looking to relax, exercise or just kill some time, just visit your Western Oregon University pool.

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