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Sandwiched between the anticipation and realization of Halloween, the Northern Lights Conference Swimming and Diving Championships were hosted with great fanfare this past weekend by Skyview High School. If you didn't see it, you missed future Division 1 scholarship athletes, state champions, conference record breakers, and countless memorable life-moment performances by 200-plus high school swimmers and divers.

Thanks to Skyview's Eric Pomerleau, Joann Wainwright, swimmers, and parents for hosting a great event, and to the Soldotna High School staff and parents for helping with diving.

Barb Bowen and Maritta Newgren deserve recognition for giving 16-plus hours of their time running the computer system upon which we coaches all depend so very much.

And thank you from all coaches to the timers and officials whose professionalism made the event come off without a hitch. Meet referee Gary Martin, whose has volunteered countless hours over the years, did a great job once again. Thank you Gary, from everyone in Alaska Swimming who has benefitted from your selfless dedication to overseeing our events.

Finally, a personal thanks to Sohail Marey, SoHi swim coach, whose involvement in area swimming over the past 20 years has so positively influenced countless young adults in our community and the state of Alaska.

Jim Barkman

Soldotna High School teacher

Kenai Central |High School swim coach