When you think of high school sports teams changing their routines because of the coronavirus, you might not think a swimming team would have to change much.  Oskaloosa girls swimming coach Makenzie Kauffman says that’s not true.

“When we enter the YMCA (for practice), we are going to be masked.  We make sure equipment is sanitized before and after (practice).  Again, the chlorine level has been raised a little bit to keep our water safe.  It’s helpful that our team is actually a little bit smaller, so we can spread them out apart across the four lanes.  Locker room situation is different.  We’re not using the YMCA locker rooms, as well as keeping our bags six feet apart on the bleachers and only bringing in those essential things needed for practice.”

That’s a nice thing about swimming, there isn’t a lot of equipment.

“Right.  Exactly, just a kickboard and a pool boy and we spray them and then go.”

The Indians girls have their first swim meet Thursday, August 27 at Ottumwa.