Sandpoint sets new high water mark

SANDPOINT — Decending upon the state meet with 22 athletes, the largest Sandpoint swim team to date, the Bulldog boys brought home a sixth place trophy and the girls finished seventh at the University of Idaho pool in Moscow last weekend.

Making it to finals was boys' captain, Sam Luikens, who after competing all afternoon and evening, had to race in a swim-off Friday night at 10 p.m. in the 100-yard backstroke. He dropped an amazing 1.5 seconds to qualify for finals the next day. Luikens took fifth place as the highest finisher for the Bulldogs out of 35 teams and 400 swimmers.

Sandpoint's Bryce Lovrin, who shaved his legs and three seconds off his time, placed 10th in the 200 IM and eighth in the 100 breast.

Bulldog freshman Eric Mann placed seventh in the 50 free and 100 fly, while anchoring the 200 medley relay team in a fourth place performance with Luikens, Lovrin and Josh Nishimoto.

In the 400 free relay, Luikens lead off with Lovrin, Todd Stoner and Mann to finish sixth. In the 200 free relay, Paul DiBenedetto, Trevor DeLaVergne, Justin Zirwes and Stoner, as the anchor, placed eighth.

Making it to consolations were DeLaVergne (500 free), DiBenedetto (200 free), Lovrin (200 IM), Luikens (100 free), Nishimoto (200 free and 100 fly), and Stoner (200 IM and 100 back).

Sandpoint's girls team co-captain, Cora Stoner, placed seventh in the grueling 500 free as well as 12th in the 200 free. The Bulldog girls 200 free relay team placed fifth with Jordan Hurley, Pauline Brothers, Stoner and co-captain Janelle Hartung as anchor. Stoner anchored the 400 free relay to a sixth place finish along with teammates Brothers, Anna Thorell, and Hartung.

Making it to the girls consolations for Sandpoint were Brothers (200 free and 100 free), Lynn DiBenedetto (100 breast), Isabella Guida (100 fly), Laura Hackworthy (200 IM), Hartung (50 and 100 free), and Thorell (200 IM).

Other state Bulldog swimmers were Cameron Hay (100 back), Jordan Hurley (50 free), Ashley Oakley (100 breast), Emily Ogle (100 back and 50 free), John Omodt (50 free), Emily Reina (50 free), Vanessa Stanley (500 free), and Justin Zirwes (100 and 200 free).