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FEB 21, 2020
Team Blonding
Men’s swimmers reflect on tradition of shaving, bleaching hair, values seen in team bonding ANDREW CAITO, DANIEL KIM Q&A, PHOTOS
Q&A
Why are you not cutting your hair?
varsity swimmer and junior griffin hadley
I have eczema and can’t bleach and shave my hair.
Would you recommend other swimmers to not cut their hair?
What do you think people think about you opposing the norm? People have taken my stance in different ways. When I was an underclassman some of the upperclassmen were not happy with me for going against the trend, but as I’ve gotten older, I’ve been a voice for the boys who don’t want to participate.
I really think it’s a personal preference. If you are excited about it and want to shave your head, go for it. However, if you are hesitant I try to make sure there is no pressure to do it. There is no element of the tradition that takes away from your role of the team. It can be a great way to get the guys excited for the championship season, but it is not necessarily for everyone.
Q&A What motivates you to cut your hair?
swimmer and sophomore dhiillon parikshak
I just do it because it’s a fun way to bond with the (swim team) and we all show up to school looking ridiculous, but it’s a fun way to get closer with the team and it’s just a good time.
Why do you choose to cut your hair?
Do you wish the entire team did it?
I cut my hair last year because it’s a tradition that the swim team does every year before sectionals and it’s really fun, it’s kind of like bonding and it keeps the guys close and although it may look dumb it’s a fun experience
I wish that the entire team did it because there’s always a few kids that choose not to for some reasons, which is completely fine but it’s just more fun if a lot of people did it.
What is the meaning behind it?
What are common reactions to your cut hair?
It doesn’t really have a meaning, it’s just a tradition that we’ve had for many years that we keep throughout swimming (and diving).
My friends probably think it’s stupid and other people in the hallway (stare at you) but it’s really funny because you’re doing it with other people that are friends with you, so it’s a good time.
STEP BY STEP
Take a look at the hair-cutting process of the men’s swim and dive team
STEP 1
The swimmers bleach their hair approximately a week before the sectional meet
STEP 2
Their hair is cut in different styles before the start of the sectional meet
OLIVIA MCKEE, SARAH KIM GRAPHIC
STEP 3
All of the remaining hair is shaved off before finals of the sectional meet
