MOSES LAKE, Wash. — New personal records and podium finishes were a common theme for the Sandpoint Sharks at the Inland Empire Swimming Junior Championships held this past Friday, Feb. 14, through Sunday, Feb. 16, at Moses Lake High's Tony St. Onge Pool.

Head coach Emily Renzini and assistant coach Sophie Britzmann emphasized how amazing it was to see so many youngsters reaching new heights in a variety of events.

“Everyone swam their hearts out and almost all improved their times in every event they had or at least were right on the mark,” head coach Emily Renzini said.

Athena de Leeuw (14 years old) led all Sharks with an impressive eight new personal bests, picked up three golds, a silver, and a bronze and was second in the 13-14 age group for the most points scored with 47. She placed first out of 23 in the 200-yard IM (2:31.01), first out of 20 in the 200 free (2:15.85), first out of 15 in the 200 breast (2:49.71), second out of 27 in the 100 breast (1:21.27) and third out of 31 in the 100 free (1:04.08).

Joshua Jackson (13) also swam to a handful of new personal records and brought home two golds, a silver, and a bronze. He placed first out of two in the 200 fly (3:00.87), first out of 25 in the 50 free (26.53), second out of 17 in the 50 back (30.18) and third out of six in the 200 back (2:25.62). 

Charley-Rain Olpin (11) dropped time in many of her swims and came away with three golds. She placed first out of 41 and bested her previous best time by 21 seconds in the 100 back (1:12.91), first out of five in the 200 back (2:39.84) and first out of 29 in the 100 IM (1:15.92). 

Kate Bracht (8) earned second in the 8-and-under age group for the most points scored with 49 and swam to one gold and five silvers. She placed first out of 26 in the 25 freestyle (16.77), second out of eight in the 200 free (3:24.06), second out of 21 in the 50 free (38.87), second out of 17 in the 100 free (1:34.91), second out of 21 in the 25 back (21.14) and second out of 25 in the 50 back (45.42).

Overall, the Sharks were ninth out of 16 teams with 207 total points.

“This meet is one where kids have high expectations going in and I couldn’t be more pleased with the outcome," coach Renzini said. "Our Sharks worked so hard this season and to finally see these breakthroughs is such a shining moment for them."

Vienne LaFountain (12) showed grit and determination to succeed in her swims, dropping time in all her events. She placed second out of nine in the 500 free (6:41.67), fourth out of 42 in the 50 free (31.64), fourth out of 17 in the 200 IM (2:56.33), sixth out of 32 in the 100 free (1:11.23) and sixth out of 29 in the 100 IM (1:21.98).

Charlie Johnson (9) dropped time in a handful of events, placing sixth out of 38 in the 100 back (1:24.57), eighth out 29 in the 50 back (40.85), eighth out of 28 in the 100 IM (1:30.08) and eighth out of 24 in the 200 free (2:49.33).

Emerson Johnson (7) was described as a 'powerhouse' for her efforts while swimming with a cast on her arm. She was high-spirited and swam amazingly despite the cast, most notably in the 100 and 200 IM.

Gunnar Gustafson (13) rounded out the meet with a couple of great performances. He dropped three seconds in the 50 breast (40.69) and exceled in the 50 freestyle (30.34). 

The Sharks not only brought home a heap of medals and new personal records, but were also awarded the team Spirit Award for their cheerfulness and upbeat attitudes at the championship meet.

“I am so proud of each and every one of our swimmers," coach Britzmann said. "This meet was the product of their hard work and dedication to not only the sport of swimming, but to themselves and to their teammates. What a fantastic end to short course season."