Mike Cunningham
Columbus North swim parents had a chance to meet new coach Mike Cunningham Wednesday evening in a meet-and-greet event at the school.
Cunningham was hired in May as the new North High School and Donner Swim Club coach. He moved to Columbus last week after completing his club season with CATS Aquatics Club in Illinois.
Cunningham also has coached at University of Chicago High School and Libertyville High School and has been part of the staff of the Illinois Central Zone Team for five years, including three as its head coach.
“I did something similar in Illinois, but luckily here, I get to coach the high school kids, as well,” Cunningham said. “In Illinois, there’s a rule about how many days you have to contact. It’s much more excitement to work with the kids year-round.”
Swimming is a family affair for the Cunninghams. Mike’s wife Barb will be assistant coach for North and Donner. Their son Deglin is a senior who has been swimming club for eight years, but his school in Illinois did not have a swim team.
The Cunninghams were able to meet most of North team on Tuesday at Donner’s end-of-season banquet.
“I’m really excited to be here,” Mike Cunningham said. “It’s going to be a lot of fun.”
North to host Blue and White Night
Columbus North will host its annual Blue and White Night on Saturday at the school, starting at 4 p.m. and concluding with the Blue-White football scrimmage at 7:30 p.m.
All Bull Dog sports teams will be introduced shortly after 4 p.m. The teams then will compete in a variety of games and events starting at 5 p.m.
There also will be a dunk tank and silent auction beginning at 5 p.m. Also at that time, all-sports passes will be sold.
The North boys and girls cross-country teams will run a timed mile on the track at 7 p.m.
Bachmann to play in Battle of the Bridges
Columbus East’s Leah Bachmann will play in the 24th Annual Battle of the Bridges All-Star Classic this weekend in Louisville.
The basketball tournament, which pits second-through-11th-grade boys and girls teams from Indiana vs. Kentucky, takes place Friday through Sunday at Mid-American Sports Center. Bachmann, who is entering her senior year, will play in the one of the 10th/11th-grade girls games at 6:30 p.m. Saturday.
Ted Schultz is sports editor for The Republic. He can be reached at [email protected] or 812-379-5628.
