The Mounties are looking to revive the Swim and Dive co-op program, now partnering with Taconic High School. For the past fifteen years, Mount Greylock has gone through several swim team co-ops, including partnerships with Hoosac Valley, St. Joe’s, and most recently, Wahconah. But for the past three years, no Mounties have taken a plunge into the cooperative. 

For the past few years, Wahconah and Mount Greylock have participated in a co-op swim and dive team. However, Wahconah now has enough of their own students participating that they no longer need to be in a co-op. As a result, Mount Greylock has teamed up with Taconic High School to create a new swim and dive co-op.

Students who participate in the co-op will practice five days a week after school at the Pittsfield YMCA. They will also attend one or two meets per week. The team is open enrollment, meaning any interested student can join.

The program currently has just one participant from Mount Greylock, but school Athletic Director Lindsey von Holtz encouraged any interested students to join. Athletes do not have to do both swimming and diving, and no prior experience is required. If students are interested in joining, they are encouraged to sign up soon. 

“If it’s past the halfway point [of the season], Mount Greylock [still] allows a student to join, but they can’t compete by MIAA rules,” von Holtz said. She added that some schools don’t allow players after the season starts at all, making Mount Greylock and Taconic somewhat unique in this regard.

In terms of transportation, meets that require northbound transportation will have buses provided. However, southbound transportation is not provided by the school. Looking ahead, the school hopes to continue this new swim and dive program with Taconic for as long as there is student interest. In recent years, generating that interest has been more difficult, but the school hopes the new co-opt might encourage more participation.