New manager calls herself a ‘pool rat’

    When Alex Schilke was growing up in Benkelman, many of her summer hours were spent at the swimming pool.
    She swam everyday and was on the swim team.
    “As a kid I was a pool rat you might say,” she said.
    That love of the water is still there as Schilke assumes the position of manager of the Imperial swimming pool. After a year off last year due to COVID, she is also serving a second year as Imperial’s swim teach coach.
    She thought as a youth she might be a lifeguard someday, but it never materialized, she said.
    “I guess this is my way 15 years later to be a lifeguard,” she smiled.
    Working with Schilke as assistant managers this summer are Ragan Nickless, Kambree Meeske and Chloe Dillan. One or more of the four are at the pool at all times, she noted.
    During the school year, Schilke is a middle school English teacher and high school speech coach at Chase County Schools.
    She finished her sixth year at CCS in 2020-21, and also was an assistant high school volleyball coach her first three years at the school.
    While the pool is yet to open due to a leading pipe, she and the lifeguards are providing some water fun in the meantime, with the first day on Monday. Slip and slide fun, a dunk tank, water guns, water balloons and a sprinkler to run through are set up in Campbell Park from 1 to 5 p.m.
    “Water Park in the Park” will possibly be offered a few days each week until the pool is open. Schilke said to check the city’s Facebook page for updates.
Swim team, lessons
    After the pool issues arose here, the swim team practiced in Wauneta last Friday and is going to Benkelman this week after Wauneta’s pool also had some issues and had to close temporarily, she said. The team practices Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
    Imperial competed at its first swim meet in St. Francis, Kansas on Saturday.
    A home meet was to be in Imperial June 19, but that has been moved to Benkelman, she said.
    The qualifying meet is set for July 10 and the state championships are in McCook July 17.
    She’s planning to hold swim lessons once the Imperial pool opens. Schilke can be contacted at 308-737-7714 for details on lessons.