Ringgold, Fort Oglethorpe swim clubs team up
The Fort-Oglethorpe Marlins and the Ringgold Tigersharks swim teams merged together for the first time, and will now be known as the Catoosa Great White Sharks.
After decades of both teams swimming prudently as separate units, the decision was made for a bevvy reasons, including the Marlins not having enough swimmers in different age groups to compete, said President of the FortOglethorpe Marlins, Randy Rhinehart.
“We were having to disqualify and cancel meets because there just wasn’t enough kids for the relays,” Rhinehart said. “And that was really hurting Fort Oglethorpe in a couple relays, but they (Ringgold) were really hurting in a lot of relays.”
Also, Rhinehart said the city of Ringgold was shortening practice time for the swimmers. With both groups joining, Ringgold— swimming amongst Fort-Oglethorpe competitors—is able to get practice time back.
Additionally, Rhinehart said he, with the help of the swim board, would like to put in a bid for the state GRPA swim meet. By combining resources, he said, the FortOglethrope swim team will be able to put a bid in, and would have the manpower to run the state GRPA swim meet.
Rhinehart said joining forces makes all the sense in the world.
“With this merger I expect this thing to be a lot more competitive,” Rhinehart said. “We have a great group of families. I think we can offer something to the county. A lot of times kids had to change between Ringgold and Fort Oglethorpe and where they are going to go, but now we can offer something countywide. You got these kids who swim together all year on the school teams. Ringgold, Fort Oglethorpe and Heritage all practice together. They all go to the same meets together. Now they can continue to be on the same team in the summer”
Phil Donihe will be a coach, while Jackson Barker will share duties as coach as well. Donihe has been a coach for the USA Carpet Capital Aquatics Club, and Barker was a swimmer with the Tigersharks.
The season will start next week.