Last season: BOYS — 5A Inland Empire League District Champions; 1st at 5A IHSAA State Championships. GIRLS — 5A Inland Empire League District Champions; 1st at 5A IHSAA State Championships.

Coaches: Greg Jackson ('00), head coach.

Key returners: BOYS — Kale Wright, sr.; Lou Foust, so.; Bodi Demmons, so.; McCoy Jensen, sr.; Kai Leavitt, sr. GIRLS — Bria Rocke, sr.; Mia Driggs, sr.; Reina Montecchi, jr.; Summer Loutzenhiser, jr.

Key newcomers: BOYS — Andrew Ford, fr. GIRLS — Alivia Storms, fr.; Athena de Leeuw, fr.

Key losses to graduation: BOYS — Max Zuberbuhler. GIRLS — Ryleigh Bamer; Ava de Leeuw.

Outlook: The Sandpoint High swim team had a historic run in 2024. The boys and girls both captured state titles and broke records left and right. This year's team has the numbers and the talent to continue that trend.

On the girls side, Ryleigh Bamer and Ava de Leeuw, an integral part of the last two state championships, have graduated, but a trio of state qualifiers return as the Lady Bulldogs seek their third state title in as many years. Senior Mia Driggs, district champion and state runner-up in the 50 free in 2024, and junior Reina Montecchi, district champion in the 100 free and state bronze medalist in the 50 free, are set to make waves; the two, along with senior Bria Rocke, were also a part of the Lady Bulldogs' three very successful relays (two golds and one bronze) at the state meet a year ago. Freshmen such as Alivia Storms and Athena de Leeuw, both coming off an amazing six months of club swim, will fill in where needed to hopefully make the three-peat a reality.

For the boys, they bring back a strong core after winning both a district title and state title last season. Senior Kale Wright, district champion in the 50 and 100 free and a state third-place finisher in both events, is the go-to guy. Along with senior Kai Leavitt, district champion in the 200 free, senior McCoy Jensen, and sophomores Bodi Demmons and Lou Foust, the Bulldogs are highly ranked in the state in every relay — they'll look bring home state gold in the 200 free and 200 medley relays like last year, hopefully taking down both the school and state meet records in the process. Complimenting this squad nicely will be freshman Andrew Ford, who head coach Greg Jackson said easily has a chance to podium at state in the 100 breast.

The boys have the talent and numbers and should be considered a strong favorite throughout the state, and while the girls lost some firepower, they have enough strong freshmen to compensate for their losses. Another deep postseason run is imminent all-around for the Sandpoint High swim team.

Coach's comments: "The team appears to be attentive, thoughtful, inclusive and are buying into things. We added as many kids as we had last year. We lost four and picked up 14. To see them all getting along this early on is exciting." - Coach Greg Jackson 

About the size of the team this season: "It's certainly the biggest team since I've been the head coach and the second biggest I can ever remember in my time with the program. We're 34-strong and may pick up an exchange student next week. I can confidently say this is the first year the team has ever had more boys than girls." - Coach Greg Jackson

On Kale Wright's leadership: "Thoughtfulness. Kale is very mindful of his stroke and technique. He's really honed in on the small skills that make such a big difference in those spreads. He's level-headed and is good at bringing attention to things. He builds the team up and is always trying to be the best captain in that regard." - Coach Greg Jackson 

Player comments: "Our team has taken a considerable jump in size; it's the first year that I've been here that we've been bigger than the girls team. I'm excited to see how we all shape up for state, and hopefully we can grab back-to-back state championships." - Kale Wright

"Something special about this team is that we're all pretty close. We've won a lot together. The offseason was pretty good, training was really consistent, and I was happy to see a lot of the team training regularly. We have some very fast freshmen coming in, so I'd love to see them succeed at state. We have a lot of potential and I'd love to see us bring a lot of girls to the state championship meet." - Bria Rocke

Most anticipated meet: All of them

Fun fact: The girls are seeking their eighth straight district title this season and the boys are looking to repeat as district champions for the first time ever.

Sandpoint Swimming Schedule 

9/6 — @ University of Idaho 

9/13 — @ Kroc Center 

9/20 — @ University of Idaho 

9/27 — @ Kroc Center 

10/4 — @ Asotin Aquatic Center 

10/11 — @ Kroc Center 

10/18 — @ Kroc Center 

10/25 — @ District Championships (U of I)

11/7 — IHSAA State Championships

* Schedule as of 8/20, dates and times subject to change

    Sandpoint High senior Bria Rocke competes in the 200-meter individual medley during a dual against Skyline last season at the Litehouse YMCA.