"Even though it's the hardest sport I do physically, I'm always excited to go to practice because of the people who are there." — Hazel Squibb

As an educator, something interesting happens over time. You begin to notice patterns in students — not in a judgmental way, but in a way where you can often tell what activities they are involved in just by the way they carry themselves.

And at Klamath Union, you can almost always spot the swimmers.

I mean that as one of the highest compliments I can give.

The Pattern

The students who come through the classrooms at Klamath Union from the swim team are consistently some of the most well-rounded young people in the building.

  • Many are taking some of the most challenging classes
  • Several are multi-sport athletes
  • They tend to push themselves academically just as much as they do in the pool

But what stands out even more than their work ethic is the culture they have built.

This team is tight-knit — not just in practice or competition, but inside the four walls of KU and across the basin. They genuinely enjoy being around one another.

Hazel's Voice

Senior captain Hazel Squibb says that closeness is one of the things that makes the team special.

"I've never been so close to a group of girls. We talk all the time and we hang out outside of swim."

Part of that bond comes from the reality of the sport itself.

"Everyone is trying their best and hurting a little," Hazel explained, about the demanding practices Coach Schaffer puts them through.

Listening to her talk about the team reminded me of an old saying: misery loves company.

A Non-Traditional Path to the Pool

Hazel's story makes that bond even more meaningful.

Unlike many competitive swimmers, she did not grow up swimming year-round or start in elementary-school programs. Hazel joined the team when she arrived at Klamath Union as a freshman.

That she has become a senior captain — leading a record-breaking program — without the typical decade-long youth-club pipeline behind her says something about both the swimmer and the program that welcomed her.

Built in the Cold

While the geothermal pool stays warm, winter practices often take place in freezing air as the high-desert temperatures drop well below freezing in the evening.

When swimmers climb onto the starting blocks, teammates regularly pour hot water over them because they freeze. It's simply part of practicing outside in a Klamath Falls winter — and a necessary step to keep athletes safe.

Those conditions help shape the mindset of the team.

Swimming is already one of the most physically demanding sports. Moving through water requires discipline and mental toughness. Add freezing temperatures and outdoor practices, and you begin to understand the grit these athletes develop.

The State Run

That grit showed up in a big way this season.

The Klamath Union boys swim team finished third overall at the state championships — just a few points away from second place.

Key contributors to that finish

  • Max Hendricks
  • Kamron Bouma
  • Sawyer Olsen
  • Finley Chase
  • Jonas Southwell

Standout individual performances

Kamron Bouma delivered a standout performance — placing second in both the 50 freestyle and the 100 freestyle while setting new school records in each event.

Record-breaking relays

  • 200 Free Relay — Hendricks, Olsen, Chase, Bouma — placed 2nd at state while breaking another school record, narrowly missing the state title
  • 400 Free Relay — Hendricks, Southwell, Chase, Bouma — set a new school record while finishing 3rd overall

Hazel's Own Record-Breaking Run

Hazel has also been part of that record-breaking relay tradition during her time as a Pelican.

  • As a sophomore, she helped break the school record in the 200 Free Relay
  • Over the past several seasons, the 400 Free Relay record has continued to fall year after year with her and her teammates

Each year the lineup shifts as seniors graduate and younger swimmers step up — but the record-board keeps moving in one direction.

Why It Matters

There's something special about a team that builds itself on discipline, friendship, and shared suffering — and then turns that into records and trophies. KU swim is one of those programs.

The kids who come up through it leave Klamath Union not just as faster swimmers, but as leaders, friends, and well-rounded young adults ready for whatever's next.

To Coach Schaffer, the parents, the volunteers, and every Pelican who climbed onto a starting block this winter — thank you for what you've built.

The Klamath Basin is proud of you.

Go Pelicans

Next season starts before you know it. The kids who'll fill these blocks next December are the ones currently swimming in club programs, summer leagues, and youth meets right now.

If you've got a young swimmer in the family — get them in the water. This program will be ready for them.