We've Got The County Covered
We've Got The County Covered
Sisters Amara Cochran and Ciana Johnson, coaches for the 2026 Harlem Swim Team, have the experience to prove that they are well suited for their roles.
This is Cochran's first year at the helm as head coach after serving last year as an assistant coach. She has been part of the team for a decade having been a swimmer herself for eight years.
"The reason why I wanted to coach was because I love swimming," said Cochran. "I made lifelong friends over the years. I went to college for swimming and I wanted to bring the knowledge to our small team here."
Cochran grew up on the Fort Belknap reservation and graduated from Harlem High School before attending college at the University of Jamestown in North Dakota where she had received a scholarship to swim for the Jimmies. In prior years she also served as a lifeguard at the Harlem pool and gave swimming lessons. This year, she splits her time between coaching and working at Fort Belknap as a public defender's assistant.
Working alongside is her younger sister Ciana Johnson, who herself had been a swimmer on the team for seven years. Johnson, a sophomore at Harlem High School, became an assistant coach "because swimming was her first love," according to Cochran.
Unfortunately, Johnson was unable to be on the team in 2026 after an ACL tear kept her away from sports for a year. Coaching has given her an opportunity to still be on the team, drawing on her years of experience swimming and from camps she had previously attended. Johnson also works currently as a lifeguard at the pool.
The sisters are coaching the team of approximately 12 kids and are grateful the program is still going. Cochran credits locals Kellie and Paul Rasmussen.
"We wouldn't have a Harlem Swim Team, as small as it is, without the Rasmussens," said Cochran. "It is thanks to Kellie and Paul, they play a big part in keeping it alive."
Kellie Rasmussen is president of the Harlem Swim Team and secretary for the Montana Federation of Swimming. She and her husband, Paul, were instrumental in hosting the 2026 Harlem Invitational Swim Meet this past June, as well as the previous meets in Harlem since 2012.
As for advice she would give to any person considering coaching, Cochran said, "Go for it!"
"You learn something new every day from these kids," she said. "Even as a coach teaching them, these kids are also teaching you a little something too. Have fun doing it and make it fun for the kids as well. Give them memories for years on end."
