Norling, Bokowy lead Sharks at Long Course meet

SANDPOINT — A host of Sandpoint Sharks set personal records to lead a strong showing by the local swimmers recently at the 2015 Inland Empire Long Course Championships in Spokane.

Caleb Norling, 10, finished second in the 100 fly, 200 free and 100 free, posting two qualifying times for the upcoming Western Zone Championships in the process, while earning the respect of his head coach.

“Caleb rocked it this weekend with a bunch of top finishes,” described Sharks coach Mike Brosnahan. “We only had 13 swimmers, but their performance was exceptional.”

Kate Bokowy, 12, won the 50 free and finished third in the 50 back, as each heat was loaded with the top youth swimmers from around the region. She just missed the qualifying times for the Western Zone meet, but showed she was the fastest swimmer in her age group by winning the 50, the swimming equivalent of the 100 meters in track and field.

A host of other sharks had strong showings in the finals, including Emily Deitz, 15, who finished third in the 100 and 200 back and sixth in the 200 individual medley, and Ryleigh Bamer, 7, who won the 100 free, finished second in the 50 fly and third in the 50 breast.

Other top 10 finishers included Garrett Bamer (5th in the 50 free, 8th in the 200 back), older brother Seth Bamer (9th in the 200 breast and 100 fly) and Aidan Nielsen (8th in the 100 fly).