Seven Sandpoint Sharks compete at Western Zone Open Championships
MAX OSWALD | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 3 years AGO
Joshua Jackson poses with his bronze medal after competing at the 2023 Western Zone Open Water Championships held in Coeur d'Alene. Jackson was seeded last out of 14 competitors in the 1.25k race, but stunned the audience with a third place finish.
(Courtesy Photo)
Members of the Sandpoint Sharks swim team pose for a photo at the 2023 Western Zone Open Championship meet. Pictured, left to right, Ryleigh Bamer, Coach Emily Renzini, McCoy Jensen, Lou Foust and Bodi Demmons.
Sandpoint's Myelle Jensen poses for a photo with her silver medal from the girls 1.25k race at the 2023 Western Zone Open Water Championship meet.
I grew up in the small town of Orwigsburg, Pa., where I resided all of my life before moving to Sandpoint. I attended Blue Mountain High School, where I participated in cross country and track and field, a sport that I ended up falling in love with. I went on to attend and run for DeSales University (with other brief stints at Susquehanna University and Elizabethtown College) and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in sport communication with a minor in sport management. I remember just how great it made me feel when I was mentioned in my hometown newspaper. I want to be able to give that feeling to every athlete in Bonner County, no matter how big or small their accomplishments are. As an athlete myself, I know how many hours of work are put in on a daily basis, and that hard work deserves to be recognized. It is my goal to cover as much of the Bulldogs, Spartans and Wampus Cats as I can. I want to work with every athlete, parent, coach, administrator and the community to ensure the best stories are published. | September 8, 2023 1:00 AM
COEUR d’ALENE — Recently, seven swimmers from the Sandpoint Sharks swim team qualified and competed in the 2023 Western Zone Open Water Championships held in Coeur d’Alene.
Although no Sharks qualified for the national meet, the team still put up some great performances at the regional meet, which was held Saturday, Aug. 26, at Coeur d'Alene City Park and Independence Point.
Two Sharks finished among the top three in their respective events. Joshua Jackson, who was seeded last out of 14 competitors, ended up finishing third in the boys 1.25k race (9-12 age division) with a time of 23:43. Myelle Jensen, impressed, took second in the girls 1.25k race (9-12 age division) with a time of 20:56.
Sandpoint’s Ryleigh Bamer took 11th out of 35 competitors in the 2.5k race (11-16 age division) with a time of 39:53. Lou Foust, McCoy Jensen, and Bodi Demmons all competed in the 2.5k race (11-16 age division) as well. Foust posted a time of 37:24; Jensen a time of 39:12; and Demmons a time of 43:38.
In the longest race of the day, the 5K, Sandpoint’s Ava de Leeuw posted a time of 1:12:57 in the 13 and over division. The 16-year-old competed against many talented swimmers much older than her.
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