Bulldogs swimmers claim district title

MOSCOW — It all came down to the final race Saturday at the district swimming championships in Moscow, as the Bear girls held a one-point lead heading into the 400 relay.

"It was intense and nerve-racking," said Bulldogs coach Mike Brosnahan of the final race. "Whichever team won the relay, won the meet."

Hillari Contor swam the opening 100 meter leg in 59 seconds, followed by Emily Ogle (58 seconds) and Pauline Brothers (55 seconds). Moscow had raced its anchor swimmer first in a move to build an early lead and hang on, but Sandpoint chipped away, ending with a hair-raising finish during the anchor leg by Paulina Gralow (53 seconds), who edged past Moscow to win by a mere two-tenths of a second and secure the district title.

"It was like a Sandpoint parents mosh pit," described Brosnahan of the photo finish. "One of the moms got a bloody lip. It was insane, the most amazing race I've ever seen."

The Bulldog girls also won the medley relay, with Tina Wilson (back), Gralow (breast), Contor (butterfly) and Brothers (free) setting a blistering pace.

Gralow also won the 200 free and her signature race, the 100 breastroke. Pauline Brothers placed second in the 500 free to account for the other Sandpoint top individual finishes.

The boys team came in second place to Moscow. Eric Mann won the 200 free and took second in the 500 free. Todd Stoner finished second in the 100 backstroke and third in the 50 free, and Colton Story finished third in the 100 back and individual medley.

? Bulldogs looking strong for state meet

SANDPOINT — More than 400 swimmers and 37 teams will compete at the Idaho State Championships Friday and Saturday in Boise, with both the boys and girls teams in serious contention for team trophies.

Head coach Mike Brosnahan is especially excited about his girls team, boasting 16 swimmers, 11 of whom qualified in four events, the maximum allowed. The state meet does not recognize classification, so the Bulldogs will need to best 36 other teams.

"We have one of the best chances of winning state that we've ever had," Brosnahan said of his powerhouse girls team. "We have a lot of fast swimmers and a lot of depth. We could have top 10 finishers in every event."

Brosnahan says junior Paulina Gralow (100 breast and 200 free) stands a good chance at winning two state titles, and perhaps challenging for a state meet record in the 100 breaststroke, her signature event as the defending state champion.

"She hasn't been pushed in any of her races," says Brosnahan of Gralow. "With someone beside her, she can really go."

Gralow is also part of two very strong relay teams, the 200 and 400 free, making a remarkable four state titles a distinct possibility.

"I'm really excited, I hope I can do it," said Gralow, who has the fastest 100 breast time in Idaho history. "I'm hoping to go faster, hoping to get an All-American time (in the 100 breast)."

Brosnahan added that Pauline Brothers also has a chance to win state titles in the 100 and 500 freestyles, and Hillari Contor a good chance in the 100 butterfly.

While the girls are taking 16 swimmers, the boys will only take nine, but they're a fast nine. Last year the boys team finished third at state with only 10 swimmers. Brosnahan says they're even faster this year and he's expecting a similar finish.

Senior Eric Mann will seek titles in the 200 and 500 freestyles, and also the 200 and 400 free relays.

"I'm really excited, the 200 is my best chance," he said, noting his toughest competitor is from Moscow. "We're going into it just as strong as we've been all season."

Todd Stoner and Colton Story will battle in the 100 backstroke, like they have all season, hoping to push one another to a title. Stoner should also place high in the 50 free, the marquee sprinting event.