New diving timer

Members of the Plymouth High School boys swim team

practice recently in front of the new scoreboard that is part of a new timing and diving system made possible when booster clubs raised more than $31,000.>

Thanks to the generosity of dozens of donors, Plymouth High School will dedicate a new timing and diving system for the pool before the boys swim meet at 6 p.m. Dec. 17.

When the school realized its 1980s-era system needed to be replaced, the swimming and diving booster clubs launched a fundraising effort.

Within a few months, they had raised $31,105 — $4,250 more than what was needed, according to Sandy Seifert, chair of the PHS Girls Swim & Dive Booster Club. The extra money will allow the purchase of an added event and heat line, a laptop computer to run

the entire system and benches for the pool deck.

The effort is a perfect example of what happens when involved parents and the community work together, she said.

A donor board will be erected in the north end of the pool balcony, said Clare Sedlacek, boys swimming coach. The district sold the old 1980s-era system for $500, which will pay for the sign, said Mike Slagle, athletic director and girls swimming coach.

“It’s just been an amazing thing, to raise $31,000,” Sedlacek told the Plymouth School Board. “I’m just humbled that we were able to do this.”

The school board accepted about $16,600 in donations for the system at its Oct. 20 meeting, and another $6,900 at its Nov. 18 meeting.

Donors include: Sargento Foods Inc., $10,000; Chris and Julie Gentine, $3,000; Swim and Dive Booster Club, $2,772; and Bill and Gail Engler, $1,500.

Visit the district’s web site at www.plymouth.k12.wi.us for a complete list of donors.