Bulldog swimmers hit the water at state today
—Photo by ERIC PLUMMER Sandpoint senior Emily Hieronymus will be one of 11 Bulldogs in action today and Saturday at the Idaho State Swimming Championships in Boise.
—Courtesy photo The Bulldog boys 200 medley relay team, pictured from left to right: Seth Bamer, Garrett Bamer, Jacob Ballard and Mile Luce.
Junior Payton Bokowy seeks third straight state sprint titles
SANDPOINT — Sandpoint junior Payton Bokowy will be swimming for a state championship tri-fecta, leading 11 Bulldog swimmers as state beings today at the Boise YMCA.
Bokowy swept the 50 and 100 freestyle events as a freshman, then defended the two marquee sprint titles as a sophomore. In a sport that isn’t separated by classification, she will have to hold off the fastest swimmers in the state if she hopes to make it three straight titles, an amazing feat.
Bulldog head coach Mike Brosnahan likes her chances, knowing when she makes that last turn she hits a gear that nobody else seems to have.
“Payton is going all out this year,” said Brosnahan of the fastest high school swimmer in the state. “She wants to hold on to her undefeated title and chase two freestyle state records.”
Bokowy will team with Briana Brosnahan, Ellie McCray and Mikayla Schoening on a strong 200 medley relay team that hopes to contend for a medal, and she’ll team with Sierra Speakman, Schoening and McCray on a fast 200 free relay team.
Individual Bulldog girls entries (7): Bokowy (50 free, 100 free); Hieronymus (200 free, 100 free); Catherine Brenner (200 free, 500 free); Speakman (200 free, 100 fly); Schoening (50 free, 100 free); McCray (50 free, 100 free); and Briana Brosnahan (100 breast).
Garrett Bamer, Seth Bamer, Jacob Ballard and Mile Luce are the only four Bulldog boys to meet state qualifying times, and will team up in a pair of strong relays in the 200 medley and the 400 free.
Individual Bulldog boys entries: Luce (200 IM, 100 free); S. Bamer (200 free, 100 fly); G. Bamer (100 back, 50 free); Ballard (100 breast, 100 fly).
Advancing to the finals in events with tons of qualifying heats is no easy task, but several Bulldog swimmers could be in the running to score points after Bokowy. Brosnahan says he’s taking have the most depth and versatility to state in years.
“Even though there are only four boys, they are all in different events and have a strong medley relay to race,” he said, noting Ballard could surprise some people. “Jacob is a freshman to watch this meet. He qualified in every boys event and is swimming strong.”