Swim Team back in 2020

The Malta Swim team was welcomed back to the Malta City Municipal Pool last Wednesday, July 8, and have competed in two of their four swim meets this year.

"It's so nice," Malta Swim Team Head Coach Shay Garfield said. "We were a little bit worried that they were going to shut down our season with so many uncertainties but they found the best solution possible to keep swim team going."

The pool opened up last Tuesday, July 7, with construction still being done to the bath-house.

The team first competed in Glasgow on the weekend of June 13, with a total of six participants. The second meet that Malta attended was held by Harlem in Glasgow during Independence Day weekend and Malta had three competitors.

In all, the Malta team has seven children on the team. Prior to the Municipal Pool reopening, the Malta Swim Team had the opportunity to practice at the Sleeping Buffalo Hot Springs and Resort on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

"They graciously let us use the pool and that was really nice," Coach Garfield said.

After repairs to the City Pool, Malta's pool water looked crystal clear for its opening.

"It's so awesome," Garfield said. "The City and Jim Truelove do an awesome job of making sure that the pool is where it needs to be and we are very appreciative of their efforts."

Garfield recalled the emotions of the team as they hit the Municipal pool for the first time this season.

"They were excited," Coach Garfield said. "They just jumped in and it seemed as though they had never missed a beat."

Garfield said that the team is working hard to get in shape for the divisional tournament, which will be the final meet of the year. The Montana Federation of Swimmers decided to cancel the annual state tournament due to concerns of COVID-19. To qualify for the Divisional meet, Malta's swimmer's times have to be in the top six amongst swimmers in their age group.

The Malta Swim Team's next meet will be in Lewistown starting on Saturday, July 18.