TEAM BLONDING

FEB 21, 2020 46 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

varsity swimmer and junior griffin hadley

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.

Why are you not cutting your hair? I have eczema and can’t bleach and shave my hair. Would you recommend other swimmers to not cut their hair? 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

swimmer and sophomore dhiillon parikshak

Why do you choose to cut your hair? What is the meaning behind 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 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).

What motivates you to cut your hair? 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. Do you wish the entire team did it? 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 are common reactions to your cut hair? 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 2 STEP 1

Their hair is cut in different styles before the start of the sectional meet The swimmers bleach their hair approximately a week before the sectional meet

OLIVIA MCKEE, SARAH KIM GRAPHIC

STEP 3

All of the remaining hair is shaved off before finals of the sectional meet