Great White Sharks spotted in Fort Oglethorpe

For many years, the Fort Oglethorpe Marlins and the Ringgold Tigersharks swim teams have competed as rivals in the Chattanooga Area Swim League (CASL).

All that will change this season as the two teams have merged to form the Catoosa Great White Sharks. The Sharks will compete in the White Division of the CASL, along with the Cumberland Currents, the Ridgeside Dolphins and the Waterdogs (Cleveland, Tenn.).

After decades of the teams swimming as separate units, the decision was made for a bevy of reasons, including the Marlins not having enough swimmers in different age groups to compete, said Randy Reinhardt, president of the Marlins.

“We were having to disqualify and cancel meets because there just wasn’t enough kids for the relays,” Reinhardt said. “And that was really hurting Fort Oglethorpe.”

Reinhardt said the city of Ringgold was having to shorten practicing time for its swimmers. However, with both groups competing under one banner, Ringgold swimmers will be able to get back practice time.

Additionally, Reinhardt said he, with the help of the swim board, would like to put in a bid for the GRPA state swim meet. By combining resources, he said that Fort Oglethorpe will be able to put in a bid and would have the manpower to run the state meet.

He said joining forces makes all the sense in the world.

“With this merger, I expect this thing to be a lot more competitive,” he said. “We have a great group of families and 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, (Lakeview) 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 and Jackson Barker will share coaching duties for the team. Donahue has previously been a coach for the USA Carpet Capital Aquatics Club of Dalton, while Jackson swam for the Tigersharks.

“I’m fired up,” Donihe said. “It’s really neat to have the opportunity for all of us to start and create something from the ground up — a new culture, a new environment and a whole new team. The traditions that both of these teams held on to are really impressive. To me that’s what makes a team. Combining these two groups of teams has proven so far to be really incredible.”

“We want everybody to get acclimated to the culture and to build a culture,” Donihe continued. “Starting off as a new team, I feel like we should start off with the right type of culture — fun, good sportsmanship and helping to develop respectful athletes.”

The 2017 is set to begin this Thursday (June 8) when the Sharks make the short trip to North Moore Road in Chattanooga to face Cumberland. Catoosa’s first home meet will be on Monday (June 12) against the Waterdogs.

All of the Sharks’ home meets will be at the Arlene Crye Pool in Fort Oglethorpe.