Senior looks to reclaim title as fastest prep swimmer in state

By ERIC PLUMMER

Sports editor

SANDPOINT — As a freshman, Sandpoint swimmer Payton Bokowy did the unthinkable and won the 50 and 100 meter freestyle races at the state championships, claiming the two marquee sprint events in a sport that doesn’t separate teams by classification.

As a sophomore, Bokowy defended her title as the fastest swimmer in the state by again dusting the competition for the sprint double repeat.

When her junior season rolled around, it was a safe bet that she would once again beat the best from every school in Idaho, but that didn’t take into account a swimming prodigy from Boise and an exchange student from Iceland, and Bokowy finished third in the 50 and second in the 100 free.

“Last year it got in my head about a time. I can’t just focus on time, I need to just focus on myself and push myself,” admits Bokowy, one of the most accomplished prep athletes to come through Sandpoint. “I need to get up and sprint, just like that.”

Bokowy, who qualified for Junior Nationals recently, will have her work cut out for her if she wants to add a fifth and sixth state title, as the winner of last year’s 50 meters returns and has already made a Nationals time. Bokowy was able to beat her in the 100 last year, and enters the season hoping to reclaim her mantle as the fastest swimmer in the state.

Bokowy recently gave a verbal commitment to swim at Washington State on a full ride scholarship, noting she’ll get to take the pool against the likes of Stanford Olympic Gold Medalist Simone Manuel.

“I’m so excited. Being in the Pac 12, I’ll get to swim against Olympians, including Manuel,” claims Bokowy. “That’s really cool.”

But first things first, she’ll anchor one of the biggest and most talented swim teams to ever roll through Sandpoint. Nine year Sandpoint assistant coach Greg Jackson feels his senior is in for a big year.

“The key for Payton is to be comfortable. She’s calm, cool and collected, and puts forth the right amount of intensity with herself and with her teammates,” he said. “She always has that big meet experience behind her.”

A total of 36 kids turned out this season, the most in years, with the girls boasting a wealth of returning state experience to complement an influx of fast freshmen.

Last year senior Ellie McCray, junior Mikayla Schoening and Bokowy finished seventh in the 200 relay at state, and McCray, Schoening, Bokowy and senior Bri Brosnahan finished 10th in the 200 medley relay. Along with sophomore Elise Gregory, and a trio of fast freshmen in Kate Bokowy, Autumn Morgan and Kaya Wright, the Bulldogs could field some formidable relays this season.

“A ton of girls to watch out for, with a lot of speed and depth,” said Jackson, who is coaching the team while longtime coach Mike Brosnahan is traveling for the first part of the season. “They have a shot for some top three relays, and very strong contenders for the podium as a team.”

While the events are comprised of huge fields from 5A through 1A, the individual team scores are separated into classes, with the Bulldog girls possessing the depth and speed to make a run at a 4A state trophy and team podium finish.

“We have a strong freshman girls team. We’re hoping to beat our team record for points and place at state,” says Bokowy, who is looking forward to sharing the pool with her little sister Kate for one varsity season. “She’s taken my sprint spot on the medley, and I’m doing the backstroke. She’s the second fastest at freestyle.”

The boys team also has the most numbers and speed in recent memory, with a strong group returning with state experience. Sophomore Jacob Ballard, Junior Garrett Bamer and seniors Miles Luce and Charlie Weiser will team up for a pair of strong relays with a legit shot at making the A finals and earning a state medal in both.

Last year, Bamer, Ballard and Luce finished 7th in the 400 relay and 10th in the 200 medley, and will be looking for higher finished in both.

“As long as they put in the work,” says Jackson of the boys finding a podium at state. “Garrett’s putting in a lot of effort and working on technique. He’s always been a hard worker and leads by example.”

Ballard was 12th in the 100 fly and 100 breast last year as a freshman, and along with Johnny Parkinson and sophomore twins Alex and Tristan Johnson, form a young nucleus to build around.

“Jacob has a ton of potential. Hard worker, good technique and a top finisher,” describes Jackson. “Tristan and Alex really poured it on in the off-season, they’ll do some great things. There’s going to be competition for that A relay.”

Luce is the most experienced boy, having been to state all three years in the program, including a 12th place finish last year in the 200 IM. He hopes to improve on that finish, and make the finals in the 200 free as well, while anchoring the relays.

He says camaraderie is the strength of the boys team.

“Everyone is friends with each other and hangs out with each other outside of swimming,” describes Luce. “With our new guy from Denver (Weiser), we should be able to get first or second in our division, and hopefully finish in the top three in a relay.”

With the returning varsity swimmers and some speedy newcomers, the Bulldogs could well send one of their biggest teams ever to state, and having the numbers is the first criteria for making a run at a team trophy.

“It’s exciting to have the size again, a lot more options than in the past,” admits Jackson. “We try to create a strong family environment, we take care of each other. Mike loves everybody, brings them all together.”

Although he’s missed the first couple weeks of the season, Brosnahan is the driving force and architect behind one of the top 4A swim programs in the state.

His hand prints are all over the team, from the refined technique to the loose and positive atmosphere, he has the respect of his charges.

“He’s so laid back. At Futures all of the coaches were yelling, and he doesn’t,” describes Bokowy of her longtime coach. “It’s all about I put in the work, and he’s always there for me. He’s been my coach since I was three.”