Sandpoint Sharks kick off season at Cougar Fall Fury

PULLMAN, Wash. — Five Sandpoint Sharks hit the water for the Cougar Fall Fury, their first meet of the fall season, this past Saturday and Sunday at Washington State University's Gibb Pool.

After weeks of hard training, Sandpoint Sharks head coach Emiliy Renzini said swimmers Kate Bracht, Carter Hutchens, Joshua Jackson, Charley-Rain Olpin and Zoey Travnicek brought great energy, supported each other, and showed up ready to compete and set the tone for the season ahead.

At some points, during just a one-hour span, each swimmer competed in four to six events — a tough challenge that they faced with grit and positivity. 

Jackson, 10 years old, showed tremendous toughness by swimming in back-to-back events, the first of which included a first-place finish in the 400 IM with a new personal best time of 5 minutes, 4.10 seconds.

Bracht (8) won all 10 of the events she competed in, most impressively capturing gold in the 50 free in 35.77 seconds.

Olpin (11) won three events — the 50 fly (30.29), the 500 free (5:53.76) and the 200 free (2:13.99) — and placed second in four others.

"I am so proud to be coaching these young and strong athletes," Renzini said. "It’s not just about the times on the clock, but also about the values they are building — teamwork, resilience, and sportsmanship — lessons that carry far beyond the pool. With this first meet under their belts, our swimmers have set a solid foundation for the rest of the season. We can’t wait to see how they continue to grow and improve."

INDIVIDUAL RESULTS

Kate Bracht (8-and-under): 1st, 100 IM, 1:29.69; 1st, 25 breast, 24.15; 1st, 25 free, 17.48; 1st, 50 fly, 42.88; 1st, 25 back, 20.41; 1st, 50 back, 41.35; 1st, 50 free, 35.77; 1st, 25 fly, 19.53; 1st, 50 breast, 48.96; 1st, 100 free, 1:26.44.

Carter Hutchens (9-10): 6th, 50 back, 53.64; 7th, 50 free, 43.28; 3rd, 50 breast, 53.57; 2nd, 200 free, 3:50.73.

Zoey Travnicek (9-10): 5th, 100 free, 1:43.49; 5th, 50 fly, 1:04.97; 3rd, 50 back, 47.68; 6th, 50 free, 46.32; 7th, 50 breast, 1:06.27.

Charley-Rain Olpin (11-12): 2nd, 100 free, 1:02.35; 1st, 50 fly, 30.29; 3rd, 100 back, 1:14.31; 1st, 500 free, 5:53.76; 3rd, 100 IM, 1:12.51; 2nd, 50 back, 33.69; 2nd, 50 free, 27.98; 2nd, 100 fly, 1:15.53; 1st, 200 free, 2:13.99.

Joshua Jackson (13-14): 5th, 200 IM, 2:23.72; 6th, 100 breast, 1:19.88; 3rd, 100 free, 56.65; 5th, 100 back, 1:07.72; 2nd, 500 free, 5:57.06; 1st, 400IM, 5:04.10; 4th, 200 back, 2:29.98; 3rd, 50 free, 26.20; 6th, 100 fly, 1:14.37; 4th, 200 free, 2:08.33.