Sharks show out at Washington Open

FEDERAL WAY, Wash. — Six Sandpoint Sharks swimmers qualified, competed and represented their hometown with pride at the prestigious 49th annual Washington Open held Jan. 15 through 18 at Weyerhaeuser King County Aquatic Center.

Kale Wright (18), Lou Foust (16), Kai Leavitt (18), Josh Jackson (14), Andrew Ford (15) and Bodi Demmons (15) all posted at least one personal best time during the four-day meet, which featured hundreds upon hundreds of swimmers competing in both preliminary heats and evening finals.

Foust delivered a standout performance in the 200 back with a time of 2 minutes, 5.80 seconds, which qualifies him for the Northwest Age Group Regional Championships, which will be held at the same venue March 19 through 22.

Other highlights included Jackson breaking the two-minute barrier in the 200 freestyle (1:55.20) and Ford producing a personal best by over ten seconds in the 200 breast (2:16.70) on the final day. In the relays, Wright, Foust, Leavitt and Jackson were 33rd in the 200 free (1:33.27); Wright, Foust, Jackson and Ford were 32nd in the 400 free (3:31.93); and Wright, Foust, Ford and Leavitt were 42nd in the 200 medley (1:44.75) and 31st in the 200 medley (3:53.86).

"Coming off an intense week of training during 'Shark Week', our swimmers rose to the challenge and performed when it counted," Sandpoint Sharks coach Emily Renzini said. "Once again, the Sandpoint Sharks showed they are ready to compete under pressure and continue building momentum as the season moves forward."

SANDPOINT SHARKS INDIVIDUAL TIMES

Lou Foust — 50 free: 219th, 24.36; 100 free: t-190th, 52.13; 200 free: 164th, 1:55.25; 500 free: 79th, 5:12.22; 50 back: 115th, 27.84; 100 back: 129th, 58.66; 200 back: 74th, 2:05.80.

Kale Wright — 50 free: 38th, 22.26; 50 breast: 100th, 30.41; 100 breast: t-150, 1:06.15.

Josh Jackson — 50 free: 255th, 24.96; 100 free: 263rd, 53.50; 200 free: 162nd, 1:55.20; 50 back: 137th, 28.66; 100 back: 183rd, 1:00.95.

Bodi Demmons — 100 back: 152nd, 59.60; 200 back: 100th, 2:10.56; 50 fly: 187th, 29.31; 200 IM: 190th, 2:19.26.

Kai Leavitt — 50 free: 53rd, 22.54; 50 breast: 132nd, 32.38; 100 fly: t-256th, 59.85.

Andrew Ford — 50 free: 266th, 25.39; 50 breast: 61st, 28.96; 100 breast: 60th, 1:01.69; 200 breast: 41st, 2:16.70; 200 IM: 159th, 2:11.81.

Olpin breaks 26-year record at Hells Canyon Invitational

CLARKSTON, Wash. — 12-year-old Charley-Rain Olpin broke a 26-year old team record in the 1650-meter free with a time of 19 minutes, 22.14 seconds and every swimmer who competed for the Sandpoint Sharks had at least one personal best at the Hells Canyon Invitational held Jan. 16 through 18 at the Asotin County Family Aquatic Center.

Olpin, along with Kate Bracht (9) and Charlie Johnson (10), all earned top honors in their age groups. Olpin swam to six gold medals and three silvers and scored 75 points; Bracht collected 10 gold medals and 90 points; and Johnson compiled seven golds and two silvers on her way to a total of 77 points. 

Among the other top performers for the Sharks were Allyson Ballard (13), who won the 50 fly (30.33) and the 50 back (32.25) and finished second in the 50 free (26.70) and 100 breast (1:20.74), and Isaac Good (10), who had six bronze and a silver. In addition, Zoey Travnicek (10) made a big breakthrough off the blocks, diving into the pool with confidence like never before and Connor Schobert (14) was the only swimmer 13-and-over to drop time in all of the races he competed in.

Coach Greg Jackson was in charge of the team for the three-day event and shared that it was exciting to see the Sharks continuing to develop and get faster. He also praised their positive energy and support for one another all weekend long.

SANDPOINT SHARKS HIGH POINT AWARD TIMES

Charley-Rain Olpin — 50 free: 1st, 27.64; 100 free: 1st, 1:00.45; 200 free: 1st, 2:09.06; 500 free: 1st, 5:43.55; 1650 free: 2nd, 19:22.14; 50 back: 2nd, 33.30; 100 back: 2nd, 1:12.91; 50 fly: 2nd, 30.32; 100 fly: 1st, 1:11.21; 400 IM: 1st, 5:21.29.

Kate Bracht — 50 free: 1st, 34.73; 100 free: 1st, 1:18.00; 200 free: 1st, 2:54.43; 50 back: 1st, 38.60; 100 back: 1st, 1:25.10; 5o breast: 1st, 46.33; 100 breast: 1st, 1:42.36; 50 fly: 1st, 39.43; 100 IM: 1st, 1:28.15; 200 IM: 1st, 3:04.00.

Charlie Johnson — 50 free: 1st, 31.74; 100 free: 2nd, 1:11.33; 200 free: 1st, 2:34.71; 50 back: 1st, 35.93; 50 breast: 1st, 46.31; 100 breast: 1st, 1:41.25; 50 fly: 2nd, 41.00; 100 IM: 1st, 1:20.01; 200 IM: 1st, 2:54.25.

    Members of the Sandpoint Sharks swim team are all smiles after a successful weekend at the Hells Canyon Invitational held Jan. 16 through 18 at the Asotin County Family Aquatic Center in Clarkston, Wash.