Sandpoint Sharks deliver strong performances at Adam England Memorial Meet

COEUR d'ALENE — The Sandpoint Sharks swim team showed outstanding effort, sportsmanship, and team spirit from start to finish and delivered new personal bests and countless personal victories while competing at the Adam England Memorial Fall Splash held Nov. 21 through 23 at the Kroc Center.

"We saw athletes step outside their comfort zones, take on new events, and support each other every step of the way," head coach Emily Renzini said. "Relay teams brought great energy, and our younger swimmers held their own with confidence and grit. I am especially proud of the positive attitudes on deck cheering loudly, helping teammates, and staying focused throughout a long weekend of racing."

It was the Sharks' first three-day meet in quite some, with 16 swimmers competing in total.

In the 9-10 girls age division, Kate Bracht (9) won the 50 fly (41.04) and placed third in the 200 free (3:01.49) while Charlie Johnson (10) swam to top-three finishes in the 500 free (1st, 6:58.20), 200 back (1st, 2:43.30), 200 free (1st, 2:38.25), 50 back (2nd, 37.31), 100 back (2nd, 1:22.53), 200 breast (3rd, 3:28.79), 200 IM (3rd, 2:59.99), 100 free (3rd, 1:12.43), 100 breast (3rd, 1:42.97), 100 IM (3rd, 1:22.93) and 50 free (3rd, 33.17).

In the 11-12 girls age division, Charley-Rain Olpin (12) won the 200 free (2:11.30) and the 500 free (5:51.63), was second in the 50 fly (30.68), 200 fly (2:51.34) and the 50 free (28.13), and third in the 200 IM (2:35.30), 100 free (1:01.29) and 100 back (1:14.11). Allyson Ballard (12) won the 100 free (58.20) and the 100 IM (1:08.91), was second in the 50 back (32.09), and placed third in the 50 fly (31.03) and 100 breast (1:22.22).

In the girls 13-14 age division, Myelle Jensen (14) won the 200 free (2:02.47), 50 free (26.14), 200 back (2:15.04), and 200 breast (2:42.51). In the boys 13-14 age division, Joshua Jackson (13) was second in the 200 free (2:00.80) and third in the 100 back (1:02.25) and 100 free (55.38).

Campbell Wyman (23) swam to a time of 7 minutes, 6.83 seconds in the 400 IM, which is just roughly 13 seconds shy of the Down Syndrome International Swimming Organization World and Americas Senior (17-24 age division) record. The record is currently 6:53.53 held by Jonathan Trejo of Morelia, Mexico.

Also among the highlights for the Sharks were Millie Van Dyken (8) and Julia Driggs (10), who competed in their first meets of the season. Isaac Good completed his first-ever 500 free in 9 minutes, 0.62 seconds at just 10 years old.

"It is amazing to see how much our team has grown and the support and love these kids show one another," coach Renzini noted. "I couldn’t be more proud to be their coach and to watch their hard work continue to pay off."

The Sandpoint Sharks will be hosting swim tryouts on Dec. 29 and Dec. 30 at 4 p.m. at the Litehouse YMCA. With any questions contact head coach Emily Renzini at [email protected].