CLOVIS — Sandpoint High's Lou Foust and Andrew Ford proudly represented their Sandpoint Sharks Swim Club at the Western Zone Senior Long Course Championship last weekend. 

The championship brings together some of the elite swimmers across the Western United States for a meet in Clovis, Calif. Sharks head coach Emily Renzini called the duo's qualifying effort a remarkable achievement that provided them an invaluable opportunity to compete with the nation's best. 

"Qualifying for Senior Zones is something athletes earn through months of hard work, consistency and perseverance," Renzini said. "Lou and Andrew represented the Sandpoint Sharks with outstanding sportsmanship and determination. Competing against this level of competition is an incredible opportunity that will help prepare them for future championship meets." 

In the pool, both swam in the boys' 19 and under age group. Ford competed in the 50-meter, 100-meter and 200-meter breaststroke as well as several relay races. The 15-year-old posted some truly fantastic times in all three of his solo events, earning a spot in the D Finals in the 100-meter and 200-meter swims. 

Ford earned a 28th place finish in the 200-meter backstroke, which had 94 competitors, with a 2:32.79 in the final race. In the final swim, Ford gained nearly one and a half seconds on his preliminary swim time. He notched a 31st place finish in the 100-meter event with a 1:08:57 and a 61st in the 50-meter with a 32.30. 

Foust competed in the 50-meter, 100-meter and 200-meter freestyle as well as the 200-meter and 400-meter freestyle relay. Foust's best finish of the weekend came in the 50-meter freestyle, where he posted a 26:70, good enough to place 180th out of 256 competitors.  

The Sandpoint High rising junior also notched a quality finish in the 200-meter free with a 2:09.53, which placed him 156th out of 194 competitors. 

The duo was selected to represent the Inland Empire on several relay teams, including the 200-meter freestyle. Together they notched a 1:47:85, tying for the 69th best finish. They also worked together in the 400-meter medley relay to earn the Inland Empire a 36th place finish, 4:19.31, out of 63 teams. 

In the 200-meter medley relay, Ford helped the Inland Empire take 35th out of 68 teams with a 1:55.64 final time.  

Renzini said the club could not be prouder of how the two competed and represented Sandpoint.  

"The Senior Zones Championships marked an exciting conclusion to the long course season and reflected the continued growth of the Sandpoint Sharks program," Renzini said. "Having two athletes qualify for one of the premier championship meets in the western United States is a testament to the club's commitment to athlete development and the dedication of its swimmers, coaches and families." 

    Lou Foust