By Jeff Patrus
Sports Writer
One of the most famous lines in movie history is uttered in the 1989 picture Field of Dreams ? ‘If you build it, they will come.?
In a figurative sense, the same can be said for the fledgling Brandon swimming program. On April 19, the Brandon school board approved swimming as a varsity sport, beginning with the 2004-05 school year. Girls swimming would compete as a fall sport, while boys swimming would compete as a winter sport.
The response from the Brandon student body has been positive so far, according to Coach Todd Duncan. He said as of press time, a total of 24 students have signed up for the team, and he anticipates a few more will join the team with school beginning and word spreading about the new program.
‘The average number of swimmers on a girls team is about 30,? he said.
Duncan started the swim club two years ago when he was doing his student teaching at Brandon High School. About 50 students, both male and female, took part in the club in 2003-04, and they competed against other schools, although they could not earn a varsity letter.
The Brandon athletic department then hired Duncan, who is also a ninth grade history teacher at BHS, as the boys and girls coach.
Duncan said the attitude of the team so far has been ‘real positive.?
‘They’re hard workers,? he said. ‘It’s such a new sport, but they’ve picked it up real quickly. We had full workout on the third day of practice.?
According to Duncan, the girls started practicing Aug. 9, and have been practicing Monday through Friday for three hours per day, with two hours of swimming and one hour of lifting.
This year’s inaugural Blackhawk swim team will be anchored by two siblings who were with the club when it started two years ago, senior Jessica Kennedy and junior Kelly Kennedy.
In addition, last year’s captain, senior Amanda Dixon, along with sisters Jessica and Melissa Swineford (both juniors), figure to be integral parts of the team, according to Duncan.
The Blackhawks will compete against other Flint Metro League teams as part of their schedule this year ? in fact, they will host the league meet Nov. 4-6.
Duncan said Holly, Fenton, and a combined Lapeer East and West team are slated to compete in league action this year, and he also said Oxford could be in the mix as well, depending on if they can get their pool ready in time for the season.
Heading into their first year, Duncan said he hopes to see ‘constant improvement? on the part of the team.
‘Our number one goal is to achieve 100 percent personal best times,? he said. ‘That’s the only thing I can ask of the girls is they try to improve.?
The Blackhawks were slated to compete in a relay meet at Bay City Central Aug. 28. However, not enough teams signed up for the meet, so it was cancelled. Instead, the Wolves will travel to Brandon for a Sept. 7 meet, Duncan said.

Brandon Varsity Girls Swimming
2004 Schedule
9-7 vs. Bay City Central
9-11 at Midland
9-14 vs. Kearsley
9-21 at Carman Ainsworth
9-23 Genesee Co. Meet
9-24 Genesee Co. Meet
9-25 Genesee Co. Meet
9-30 at Holly
10-12 vs. Fenton
10-16 Heritage Relays
10-19 vs. Swartz Creek
11-4 Metro League Meet
11-5 Metro League Meet
11-6 Metro League Meet