Eifel Sharks prepare for new season, members Published July 31, 2007 By Jacqui Malone Eifel Shark Swim Team president SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany -- The Eifel Sharks swim team is looking for childe ages six to 18 who can swim 25 meters to join their ranks for the upcoming season. The team has been around for 20 years and is a part of the European Forces Swim League, an organization that provides a program of competitive swimming and a healthy environment in which children can grow emotionally and physically. "Touring Europe Pool by Pool," the team travels across Germany, to Belgium and the Netherlands, and has competed at the European Championships in Munich, Germany and Riccione, Italy. This season, European Champs will be held in Berlin and the team. Despite being the smallest team in the league, with less than 15 swimmers, the team won more than 40 medals at this year's Divisional Championships in Neustadt, hosted by the Hohenfels Hurricanes, including three gold medals for relay teams in the nine and 10 year old and 13 and 14 year old categories. The Olympic Pool in Munich, where Mark Spitz, former Olympic swimmer took seven gold medals in 1972, was the location for the 2006/07 EFSL European Championships. Winning silver for his 50 meter butterfly, Tom Malone, son of Maj. Doug Malone 52nd Joint Fires Center of Excellence, hopes that children will be encouraged to join the team. "When I joined two years ago I could only manage front crawl," he said. "After one year I won two bronze medals at European Championships and this year I got a silver medal. I never thought I'd be able to swim butterfly." Jeneba Hoene, daughter of Jerry Hoene, Department of Defense Education Activity teacher, began the season unable to dive. Support from Coach Angi Ludwig gave her the confidence she needed, resulting in her two wins at Divisional Championships. Head coach, Donald Odom, has been working with the team for four years. Along with assistant coaches, Angela Ludwig, Eric Long and Katie Brock, he has produced amazing results despite limited practice time. Practices take place at Cascades in Bitburg Saturdays and Mondays, from August to February. A parent's information meeting takes place at the Spangdahlem Youth Center Aug. 13 at 6 p.m. For more information or to register a child for the upcoming season, e-mail Jacqui Malone, Eifel Sharks president, at eifel_sharks@yahoo.com, call 06575-90-1958 or attend the Aug. 13 meeting. (Editor's note: The Eifel Sharks swim team is not run by the Youth Center.)