Mann, Trulock lead Bulldog swimmers at state

BOISE — Sophomore Chris Mann led the Bulldogs with a third place finish in the 500 meter freestyle, a sixth place finish in the 200 free and a fifth place finish in the 400 free relay last weekend at the state swimming championships in Boise.

More than 400 swimmers from more than 40 teams competed in the two-day meet, which does not make a distinction among classifications, and the Bulldog boys finished eighth overall while the girls team placed 18th.

Mann teamed with Garrett Dunn, Graham Cole and Barry Wilson in the 400 free relay, and also teamed with Dunn, Cole and Nik Thorell to finish 10th in the 200 medley relay, capping a strong showing at state.

“He’s had kind of a rough season,” said Sandpoint coach Mike Brosnahan of Mann, who battled a shoulder injury for much of the season. “He really pulled it together at state and swam well.”

Other top boys finishes included Dunn with a sixth in the 200 IM and a 10th in the 100 backstroke, Cole with a 14th in the 100 butterfly, and Luke Brandenberger with a 15th in the 500 free before he teamed with Steven Gavin, Wilson and Thorell for 12th place in the 200 free relay.

Captain Sam Trulock led the girls team with a 13th place finish in the 200 free and a 14th in the 500 free, before swimming a sizzling split to team with Keeley Pearlstein, Michelle Rockwell and Shannon Curran to finish 10th in the 400 free relay.

“Sam had time drops in all her events,” said Brosnahan. “She’s been a great team leader for the girls.”

Other top girls finishes included Pearlstein with a 10th in the 100 back and a 13th in the 100 fly, Rockwell with a 16th in both the 200 free and 500 free, and Kasey Collins, Alex Krames, Beth DiBenedetto and Lydia Stitsel teaming up for a 14th place finish in the 200 free relay.