Area athletes compete in USA Swimming Western Zone Open Water Championships

Michael Mamola of Rathdrum and Trace Bennett of Coeur d'Alene qualified for 2026 Open Water Junior Nationals in Sarasota, Fla., following their placings at the USA Swimming Western Zone Open Water Championships last Saturday on Lake Coeur d'Alene.

Both competed in the 5k race in the men's 13 and over age group.

Mamola, 16, finished sixth. Bennett, 14, finished 12th.

Several other local high school swimmers competed, including juniors Andrew Davis, Owen Keith and Karsten Towery, sophomore Raegan Greiner and freshman Mia Stroh of Coeur d'Alene; junior Tillie Sobek and freshman Maggie Sobek of Lake City; junior Daisy Whitney and sophomore John Meisner of Post Falls; and sophomores Lou Foust and Bodi Demmons of Sandpoint.

MEN

Age 13 and up 5K

1, Landon Egeland, Bend, Ore., 1:01.42.30.. 6, Michael Mamola, 1:03.25. 12, Trace Bennett, 1:04.49.50. 16, Owen Bennett, 1:06.14.20. 32, Andrew Davis, 1:10.26.40. 48, Owen Keith, 1:15.43.20. 

Ages 11-16 2.5K

1, Austin French, Bend, Ore., 34:11.20. 12, Lou Foust, 37:07.90. 15, John Misner, 37:19.30. 19, Bodi Demmons, 38:39.40. 24, Joshua Jackson, 39:30.60. 38, Anders Misner, 43:34.70.

Ages 9-12 1.25K

1, Colton Ayres, Southern California, 21:44.60. 18, Owen Augustine, 27:16.50.

WOMEN

Age 13 and up 5K

1, Zayda Miehl, Corvallis, Ore.. 21, Tillie Sobek, 1:10.29.10. 29, Makena Mamola, 1:12.24.60. 38, Rachel Nicholls, 1:14.21.40. 46, Daisy Whitney, 1:15.36.60. 62, Karsten Towery, 1:25.11.40. 63, Morgan Herr, 1:25.48.50.

Age 11-16 2.5K

1, Violet Rutter, Santa Clara, Calif. 15, Raegen Greiner, 40:13.30. 20, Maggie Sobek, 40:55. 23, Charley-Rain Olpin, 41:18.10. 32, Parker Carlson, 42:12.20. 35, Mia Stroh, 42:27.10. 36, Ellie Ruth, 42:47. 55, Athena de Leeuw, 46:07.80. 58, Alice Masiello, 48:11.90.

Age 9-12 1.25K

1, Isabella Bosnyah, Southern California. 6, Vienne LaFountain, 25:00.30. 9, Avery Bennett, 25:43.60. 13, Elsie Non, 28:21.40. 15, Charlie Johnson, 28:27.90.