Bainbridge Aquatic Masters (BAM) made an impressive showing at the Pacific Northwest Association of Masters Swimmers (PNA) Spring Championship and Zone Meet, held at the King County Aquatic Center in Federal Way, Washington. Twenty BAM members competed, with strong participation across both days of competition, earning a 4th place finish in the highly competitive “Big Teams” division.
The event also marked a historic milestone: for the first time in PNA history, a coach won Coach of the Year for a third time. Furthermore, both the Coach of the Year award and the Dawn Musselman Inspirational Swimmer award were presented to members of the same team.
BAM Head Coach April Cheadle was honored, for the third time, as Coach of the Year — an unprecedented accomplishment in PNA’s history. April Cheadle has done an outstanding job building a vibrant and welcoming swimming community, and this success is truly a testament to her dedication and leadership. She has fostered a highly engaged, supportive, and successful team culture, where participation and teamwork are clearly valued.
Assistant Coach Tamara Tulou received the Dawn Musselman Inspirational Swimmer award. This award honors more than two decades of Tamara Tolou’s dedicated service to the program with contributions including long-time leadership as BAMFest meet director, innovative problem-solving skills, consistent volunteerism, and ongoing support of swimmers and coaches throughout the region.
These recognitions reflect not just individual excellence, but the strength of the entire BAM program. Having both awards go to members of the BAM team speaks volumes about the culture, dedication, and community that have been built and highlights the strength of community-centered recreation programs and the impact of dedicated volunteers and leaders. The Park District is proud to manage and deliver the BAM program and celebrate the achievements of its athletes and contributors both in and out of the pool.