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Swimming in Spirit
Financially, it can also add up. Families pay $485 to the neighborhood recreation association to belong to the pool and $75 per kid to join the team, plus the incidentals -- the "dolphin mama" tank top, for example.
After halftime, 12 mothers picked up kickboards and led a choreographed dance to Kool and the Gang, courtesy of Alfred "The Wall of Sound" Gabala, who deejays home meets even though his children have outgrown the team.
Photos
Swim Spirit The team from Tilden Woods considers itself the most spirited and zealously dedicated in the Montgomery County Swim League. |
Gabala's wife, Amy, stopped by. There's a rumor that he'll have to kill the music by 9 p.m. at the adult fiesta that night, she told him.
"Last year it was really, really fun," Amy explained. "And the neighbors got really mad."
Briefs and Belly-Flops
Jerry Parshall's underwear speaks volumes. It is a testament to the tradition of spirit handed down from older swimmers to the younger. After 10 years on the team, Parshall has mastered the ecstatic art of being a Dolphin. He dyed his briefs gold (a team color) for the July 15 meet against powerhouse public pool Rockville.
"It's about the spirit, the bond," said Parshall, 17, modeling the briefs, which he wore over his Speedo. "It's different for us. Other teams just leave after the meet and don't cheer. Just wait till halftime."
At the halfway point, with Tilden Woods down by 94, Parshall slipped on yellow dishwashing gloves and a black mask, then yelled, flailed and darted around the pool area, trying to spook his nonplussed opponents. At the same time, coach Kaufman (in superhero attire) soared over the side of the pool into a cringe-worthy belly-flop.
The whole Tilden Woods team erupted: "HEY, ROCKVILLE! WE GOT SPIRIT, YES, WE DO! WE GOT SPIRIT, HOW 'BOUT YOU?"
One swimmer from Rockville echoed the cheer, a valiant but futile effort to match Tilden Woods' fervor.
"Tilden Woods coach?" interrupted announcer George Haibel over the loudspeaker. "Can we make an announcement?"
"Yes, sir," said Kaufman, evincing sheepishness and quieting his team.
Other A division teams -- which hone their own styles of team spirit -- have an amused respect for Tilden Woods.
