A large, well-crafted record board stands tall and out of the splash zone at one end of the Auburn School District swimming pool.

It rests next to two others of similar size and distinction.

John Irwin smiles while glancing at the new addition – a recently-erected, 6-by-8-foot creation made of some fine fir, plywood and cedar, all shaped and finished by careful hands.

The board bears the names of current record-holders from the Mountainview High School boys and girls swimming and diving programs. The panel of pride includes Irwin, part of the Lions’ record-setting 200- and 400-yard freestyle relay teams.

It also represents Irwin’s Eagle Scout project, a collaborative effort involving Troop 401, the swim team, friends and contributors from the community.

“The other two schools (Auburn and Auburn Riverside highs) had one, so I wanted to do one for my school,” said Irwin, 17, a junior at Mountainview and a Running Start student at Green River Community College. “This was unique and special.”

Added Irwin’s father, Mike: “They had plenty of records. It was time to put them up.”

The young Irwin wanted to leave his mark – in more ways than one.

Tribute to school

Irwin, chosen as captain for next season’s swim team, wanted to do something grand for his school. He also needed a community project to complete his pursuit of Eagle Scout.

A Boy Scout since he was in the fifth grade, Irwin soon will receive the high honor. An exceptional student, he wants to become an aeronautical space engineer someday.

Irwin’s work is one of five Eagle Scout projects from Troop 401 this school year.

Irwin noticed the Lions had no den of records displayed at the district pool. He wanted to change that. The record board was his idea.

Tim Scott, engineering and shop teacher at Mountainview, helped with the plans. Will Gering, father of Troop 401 Scoutmaster Jeff Gering, made his woodshop available to the young craftsmen.

Donations also came in. Construction Unlimited donated most of the wood. McLendon Hardware supplied materials. Family and friends also donated money.

The project commanded 156 hours of volunteer service hours and 50 hours of planning, fundraising and supervising from Irwin himself.

Irwin estimates the board’s value at $700.

It now fittingly stands next to those from two rival schools.

“Everybody liked it.

Everybody I talked to enjoyed it,” Irwin said. “It’s something I wanted to do for my school, and it’s something that will be around awhile.”