Gralow and Sharks take Moscow by storm

MOSCOW — The Sandpoint West Athletic Club Sharks braved the elements, taking fourth place overall, at the recent Jingle Bell Splash swim meet at the University of Idaho Swim Center.

Paulina Gralow led her team with high-point honors in the 13- to 14-year-old division, capturing seven wins and two runnerup positions in final events. She also set a new meet record in the 100-yard breaststroke.

Gralow was joined by teammate Pauline Brothers who dropped major time in the 50 freestyle (second place), 100 freestyle (first place), and 200 freestyle (first place). Hillari Contor contributed to the strength of the 13-14 girls with a third place in the 200 freestyle finals.

Eleven-year-old Garrett Dunn dropped an impressive 8.87 seconds in the 100 butterfly, in addition to a first place finish in the 100 backstroke, and third in the 50 backstroke, 50 breaststroke and 100 breaststroke. Joining Garrett was his 7-year-old sister Hailey Dunn, who also dropped time with a fourth place finish in the 25 breaststroke.

Keeley Pearlstein reduced her 200 freestyle time by an impressive 10.08 seconds. Rounding out the Sharks' performance was 15-year-old Eric Mann, who had a first in the 200 butterfly, and second place in the 100 butterfly and 200 freestyle.

The SWAC Sharks concluded their fall season racking up some phenomenal statistics for coach Mike Brosnahan. With seven new team members, 245 personal best times were set, 34 "A" times were recorded and 35 new team records were achieved. Six swimmers set new sectional-qualifying times, they included: Meranda Carter, Shannon Curran, Garrett Dunn, Gralow, Mann and Colton Story. Gralow and Mann also achieved new zone times.

The Sharks travel to Pullman this weekend to swim in the January Storm meet.