News Summary

In a strategic move to combat declining participation, St. Cloud Apollo and Tech High School swimming teams are merging to form the ‘Crush’ team. Approved by the school board, this collaboration aims to strengthen competition levels and foster a united identity among athletes. With plans for new coaching staff and enhanced development strategies, the Crush team is set to make significant waves in upcoming seasons. The community looks forward to a revitalized swimming landscape, emphasizing team spirit and collective achievement.

Exciting News for St. Cloud Swimmers: A New Chapter Begins!

In a delightful turn of events for young athletes in St. Cloud, the boys’ swimming and diving teams of St. Cloud Apollo and Tech High School are joining forces! This union brings forth the new name, “Crush,” and was given the green light by the school board just last Wednesday night. But why the merge, you ask? Well, it’s all about keeping the spirit of competition alive!

Declining Participation Sparks a Strategic Move

Like many schools across the nation, both St. Cloud Apollo and Tech High School have been faced with the challenge of declining participation in their swimming programs. As it stands, each school reported fewer than ten returning swimmers for the upcoming 2025-26 season. With numbers dwindling, it’s become tougher to field competitive teams that can hold their own against rivals.

Tech High has already established cooperative programs with surrounding schools—such as Becker, Cathedral High School, and Rocori—so this merger with Apollo makes perfect sense. It’s about blending strengths and creating a formidable team that can compete effectively on the swimming scene.

The Road Ahead for the New Team

Now that the merger has been approved, there are several steps on the agenda to ensure a smooth transition. One of the first tasks is to fill the head coaching position along with recruiting additional coaching staff. Finding the right people will be essential for establishing a solid foundation for the new team dynamic.

Targeting the Future: Strengthening the Pipeline

Beyond forming the complete coaching staff, both schools plan to implement strategies that focus on building a brighter future for their swim teams. This includes making better use of local pools and developing a stronger feeder system to encourage younger swimmers to join in. The idea is to minimize reliance on community swim lessons and external programs, allowing for a homegrown approach to building up team rosters.

Pooling Resources for Greater Success

By unifying their competition schedules and sharing practice facilities, the Crush intends to balance resources across both teams. This collaboration is all about achieving depth and improving performance. With larger team numbers, they stand a better chance when competing in duels, especially against schools in Fergus Falls, Brainerd, and Sartell that already boast more substantial squads.

While individual members of both Apollo and Tech have experienced personal successes in various swimming events, the overall win-loss record has been challenging due to smaller team sizes. By merging, the Crush hopes to change the game, bringing more excitement to the community and helping swimmers achieve new milestones together.

Embracing Team Spirit with a New Name

The introduction of the Crush name isn’t just about the practicalities of the merger; it’s also a step towards fostering a shared sense of identity and pride among the athletes from both schools. The idea gained traction after initial approvals for co-op programs began back in November 2021, and now the fulfillment of that vision is closer than ever.

As St. Cloud moves forward with this exciting collaboration, the community eagerly anticipates the growth and development of its young swimmers. With a united front, the Crush is set to make waves in the upcoming season and beyond. Here’s to the future of swimming in St. Cloud—let the countdown to glory begin!

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