Trio pick up victories at Summer Solstice Swim Meet

SANDPOINT — Jacob Ballard, 12, won the 50 fly, 50 free and 200 fly to lead a strong showing by the Sandpoint Sharks swim team, which sent a strong squad to the recent Summer Solstice Swim Meet in Spokane.

Caleb Norling, 10 won the 100 fly and was second in the 100 free, 50 fly and 100 breast. Payton Bokowy, 15, was first in the 100 and 50 free, and showed her versatility with a second place finish in the 50 back. Kate Bokowy, 12, was third in the 50 free and fourth in the 100 free, also excelling in the sprints.

Other top 10 girls finishers included: Emily Deitz, 15, third in the 50 back and fourth in the 100 back and 50 fly; Ava Deleeuw, 8, third in the 50 back and fourth in the 50 fly; Jetta Thaete, 7, was sixth in the 50 breast; Ayianna Prevost, 10, finished seventh in the 100 free and Emma Reed, 15, was eighth in the 50 fly.

Other top 10 boys finishers included: Aidan Nielson, 11, who was third in the 200 fly; Ben Reich, 17, who was fourth in the 50 back; Miles Luce, 15, was fifth in the 50 fly; Johnny Parkinson, 14, was fifth in the 50 back; and Tristan Johnson, 14, was sixth in the 50 fly.

Sharks head coach praised the swimming of Sabrina Wilson, who set personal bests in all of her events, and Payton Bokowy, who beat a University of Idaho sprinter in two of her races.

“This meet had returning college swimmers and some of the best talent in the Inland Empire swimming,” said Brosnahan. “The Sharks swam very well and had a large percentage of PRs.”