Bokowy, Speakman, Luce lead Bulldog swimmers in Icebreaker opener
—Photo by ERIC PLUMMER Garrett Bamer, pictured practicing a start earlier in the season, and the Bulldog swim team opened the 2016 season at the Icebreaker in Coeur d’Alene on Saturday.
COEUR d’ALENE — Payton Bokowy won the 50 and 100 free and Sierra Speakman was second in both the 100 fly and 400 free to lead the girls, and Miles Luce was second in the 100 free and third in the 100 breast to lead the boys team, as the Bulldog swim team hit the water for the first time on Saturday at the Icebreaker in the Kroc Center.
The Bulldog girls finished third among seven teams, behind state swim powers Coeur d’Alene and Lake City, getting huge points when Bokowy, Speakman, Emily Hieronymus and Ellie McCray teamed up to finish second in both the 400 free and 200 medley relays.
Other top five finishes turned in by the Bulldog girls were Catherine Brenner (3rd in 400 free, 5th in 200 free) and Hieronymus (4th in 200 free).
Freshman Jacob Ballard swam a strong 100 fly to finish third, and teamed with Luce, Johnny Parkinson and Garrett Bamer to finish second in the 400 free relay for the Bulldog boys, who boast their best depth in many years.
Alex Johnson, Tristan Johnson, Lukas Aanes and Izaak Bartlett teamed up to finish fourth in the 200 medley relay, while other top five finishes were turned in by Garrett Bamer (4th in 50 free) and Parkinson (5th in 200 free).
“For the boys, Jacob Ballard had a very impressive 100 fly time and was very strong on both relays,” said Bulldogs head coach Mike Brosnahan. “Nice team placing with some of the strongest teams in the state attending.”
Sandpoint will face Coeur d’Alene and Post Falls in a double-dual on Friday, at 4:30 p.m. at the Kroc Center.