Jarrod R. Kohls
Staff Writer
The emergence of the Rio Vista High School Swim Team in the late ‘90’s, came with a great success that adorned the school with several championship pennants and provided a stage for many all-league M.V.P. swimmers. Despite the achievements of the Dan Mahoney era clubs, the Ram’s swim program has been sidelined for the past three seasons due largely to budget cuts and a shortage of practice facilities.
While the Rio Vista Sharks organization has returned to full operation since the renovations to the Bruning Park Pool have been completed, the red and gold have yet to hit the water to reclaim their spot at the pinnacle of regional high school competitive swimming.
Spearheading the revival of the formerly great athletic program, is Foster’s Big Horn owner/proprietor Howard Lamothe and Head Coach Toni Tucker who held a fundraising raffle, at the Big Horn, on January 16 for the benefit of the Ram’s swim program.
“Through the raffle that we held and contributions by The Montezuma Fire Protection District, The Rio Vista Foundation and other local organizations we were able to gather $3,800 that night,” Lamothe explained. “We anticipate having over $5,000 for the team by the time season starts.”
Along with the volume of donations from countless Rio Vista citizens, the local organization contributions to the team’s cause were presented by Tim Kubli of The Rio Vista Foundation and Derek Able of The Rotary Club for $500 each. Dan Schindler of The Montezuma Fire Protection District contributed $1,000.
“The swim program is something that this town needs” said Schindler. “We need more options for our kids that may not be into the sports that the high school has to offer- like baseball, football or basketball. Having a swim team not only gives the high school students more options as far as activities go, but it gives these kids a chance to earn college scholarships while succeeding in a sport that they are truly passionate about without having to leave town to pursue it.”
In a town that plays home to the prolific Rio Vista Sharks recreational swim team, Pan-Am Games breast-stroke record holder Sean Mahoney and countless Butte Valley and Golden Empire League Record holders, the deficiency of an elevated forum for local talent is an issue that deserves the attention and resolution that the Tucker/Lamothe tandem has propelled into the view of Rio Vistans and the Delta at large.
“Once the kids turn 18 they are unable to compete with the Sharks” explained Schindler. “It is important for the children of this community to have the opportunity to continue an activity that they may have been participating in for the better part of their lives.”
Head coach Tucker and assistant coach Lamothe have assembled a squad of more than 15 Rio Vista High School students to date. Lamothe anticipates more additions to his roster as the re-inauguration of the Ram’s swim team approaches it’s starting date in the last week of February. |
