Olpin wins High Point Award; Foust, Jackson swim to qualifying times at SWAT Winter Invite
Bonner County Daily Bee | UPDATED 1 week, 6 days AGO
Charley-Rain Olpin, left, and Vienne LaFountain, right, both swam their hearts out for the Sandpoint Sharks at the SWAT Winter Invite held Dec. 5 through 7 at the Whitworth University Aquatics Center in Spokane.
(Courtesy Photo)
SPOKANE — Charley-Rain Olpin brought home the High Point Award in her age division, Joshua Jackson and Lou Foust put together Washington Open qualifying times in one event apiece, and the Sandpoint Sharks swim team shined at the SWAT Winter Invite held Dec. 5 through Dec. 7 at the Whitworth University Aquatics Center.
"What an incredible meet it was for the Sandpoint Sharks," Sandpoint Sharks head coach Emily Renzini said of the mid-season competition. "Every swimmer stepped up and delivered outstanding performances."
Competing in the girls 11-12 age division, Olpin, 12 years old, won the 500 free (5:47.01), the 50 back (32.79), and the 200 free (2:10.72), and was second in the 400 IM (5:26.20), the 200 IM (2:33.55), the 100 free (1:00.40), the 50 free (27.41) and the 50 fly (30.03) for a total of three golds and five silvers on the weekend.
Competing in the boys 13-14 age division, Jackson, 13 years old, qualified for the Washington Open, set to be held Jan. 15 through 18 at the King County Aquatic Center, in the 100 free with a time of 54.39 seconds, good enough for third place at the meet. In addition, he posted top-three finishes in the 50 back (2nd, 28.78), in which he broke the team record, the 100 back (2nd, 1:00.48), 50 fly (3rd, 28.89) and 500 free (3rd, 5:27.54).
Competing in the boys 15-and-over age division, Foust, 16 years old, qualified for the Washington Open in the 200 back with a time of 2 minutes, 9.53 seconds, which won the meet.
Coach Renzini said Carter Hutchens (11) and Nolan Jacobson (10) showed tremendous grit, posting strong swims and achieving new times in both the 100 free and 100 back. Sandpoint High standout Max Brown (16) battled his way into the 200 IM finals, where he finished fifth in 2 minutes, 14.43 seconds as he tested new race strategies with great success. Foust finished .01 seconds ahead in the same race to place fourth.
Also posting top-three finishes across the three-day event were Charlie Johnson (10) in the 200 free (2nd, 2:30.63), 200 IM (2nd, 2:59.04), 50 back (2nd, 37.55), 100 free (2nd, 1:11.80), 100 back (2nd, 1:19.28), 100 breast (2nd, 1:39.87) and 100 IM (3rd, 1:25.64); Kate Bracht (9) in the 50 fly (1st, 39.50), 50 free (2nd, 33.79), 50 back (3rd, 39.03), 50 breast (3rd, 47.73) and 100 free (3rd, 1:18.00); and Emerson Johnson (8) in the 25 back (2nd, 29.28) and 25 free (23.88).
The Sandpoint Sharks will be hosting tryouts Monday, Dec. 29, and Tuesday, Dec, 30, at the Litehouse YMCA. With any questions, reach out to coach Renzini via email at [email protected].