SANDPOINT — This year, endurance swimmer Elaine Howley swam her way into local heroism by becoming the first person to traverse the length of Lake Pend Oreille.

Now she’s up for a new honor as World Open Water Swimming Association’s Woman of the Year award. Residents have a chance to contribute to the decision-making by voting for Howley online.

Howley joins 11 other accomplished leaders and athletes within the open water swimming community in the running for the award. The nominees hail from all over the world, from the U.S. and Canada to Brazil, India, South Africa, Australia, Ireland, New Zealand, Russia, Argentina, the Netherlands and the Czech Republic.

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