After three long years of starts and stops, the Columbia Falls and Whitefish swim teams hit the water last week. The two teams are jointly coached by Mike Nelson but compete separately.

“It was kind of an emotional night,” Nelson said when the team finally hit the pool last week. “One of the swimmers said, ‘Hey coach, zero days.’”

The “zero days” was in reference to the teams counting down the days they had until they start the season.

Collectively, the teams needed to raise more than $20,000 to get the program off the ground — neither school was willing to foot the bill for another sports program.

The teams encountered problems with fundraising, the Montana High School Association and finding a time and place to practice. But this year, the squad got the kinks worked out and raised enough money to start up the fledgling program.

The Columbia Falls team has nine swimmers, including one who will likely put some medals in the display case right away. Sophomore Colton Babcock has been breaking records all fall swimming for the Wave Ryders, a club swim team in Whitefish. Now he’ll test his mettle against Class AA and Class A opponents across the state.

“Colton will rock it,” Nelson said.

The Columbia Falls team also have a veteran swimmer in sophomore Zayne Friar. Babcock and Friar have been swimming together for years in youth and summer leagues.

On the girls side, Nelson expects good things from his daughter Karyssa as well as a host of young talent. Karyssa also has club swimming experience.

The teams practice at The Wave in Whitefish but won’t have a home swim meet this season. They will have two meets in Kalispell. They open the season at the Kalispell Invitational on Dec. 6 and will be back in Kalispell on Jan. 10.

Overall, both teams have a wide range of talent, Nelson said.

“We have some year-round swimmers and some with zero competitive experience,” Nelson said of both squads.

The Columbia Falls team also attracted senior Connor Bowman — one of the top players for the Wildcats football team this year.

“I’m glad to have him,” Nelson said.

Bowman has a great body type to compete in the butterfly, Nelson said. Swimming could prove to be an attractive winter sport for athletes looking to stay in shape.

The Columbia Falls team roster includes Babcock, Bowman, Friar, Jacob Hohman, Kaleb Bagley, Analise Henjum, Ashley Caffrey, Hayden Pierce and Nelson.