SLIPPERY ROCK — Most people look at swimming as an individual sport.

The Slippery Rock Eels treat it much the same way — except when they're out of the pool.

The Eels, a youth team consisting of more than 100 swimmers ages 5-18, used their last meet of the season recently to collect books for the Slippery Rock library's new building.

“We try to reach out to a different charity every year,” said Stephanie Herron, the Community Service Chairperson for the team. “We want to instill community service in these kids, the idea of giving back.

“Businesses in this community donate to this team. The community gives to us, we need to give back as well.”

Herron said she called up local charities looking for a good match this year.

“We found out the library was adding a new building and needed to fill it with books,” she said. “We all have a book shelf or two at home that we've out-grown, so we went to work on it.”

The team donated hundreds of books, filling 15 big boxes. A number of swimmers on the team helped pack up the books as well.

The bulk of the Slippery Rock Eels roster comes from the Slippery Rock area, though swimmers from Mercer, New Castle, Moniteau and other neighboring districts also participate.

“Swimming is an individual sport, but when the kids do things like this outside of the pool as a team ... It's inspiring,” Eels coach Brian Belowich said.

The Eels spearheaded a food drive last Thanksgiving to collect non-perishable items for the local food bank as well.

“The parents of the kids deserve all the credit for this stuff,” Belowich said. “Their dedication and resolve to stay supportive of the team and the community is impressive.

“The parents volunteer to do this. They put together a board to get organized and have accomplished quite a bit.”

Belowich, a 2000 Butler graduate, took over as Slippery Rock High School swim coach two years ago after Cindy Johnston resigned. He has been head coach of the Eels for the past year.

“I had been helping out with the Eels and when the head coaching position there opened up, I figured I'd try to further connect the youth team to the high school team,” he said.

“The Slippery Rock Eels do serve as a feeder system for the high school program.”

The youth season actually never stops. The Slippery Rock Eels' fall season runs from September to April. The spring season is April through early June, the summer season is June and July.

“Maybe half of the swimmers stay on the team through the summer,” Herron said. “Overall, a lot of the Eels' swim records were broken this past year.

“Personal records are set by the kids all the time. The team keeps improving.”

Belowich added that some long course records have already been snapped by Eel swimmers this month.

He said he's always enjoyed working with young swimmers. The community work is one of the reasons.

“Selfishly, the community efforts by the kids and their parents reflect positively on our program,” Belowich said. “But swimmers are generally intelligent athletes who have compassion for others.

“This group has proven that time and time again.”