Bulldog swimmers look to find 'other gear' at state
(Courtesy photo) Sandpoint sophomore Kate Bokowy, hitting the water on an exchange, is part of a 200 medley relay team with the fastest seed time in the state in 4A.
(Courtesy photo) The Bulldogs have some strong relay teams, including from left to right, Hayden Norling, Garrett Bamer, Jacob Ballard and Jack Grzincic.
SANDPOINT — A handful of Sandpoint individual swimmers and relays will be vying for state titles today when the Idaho State Swimming Championships start at the Boise YMCA.
The Bulldog girls 200 medley relay team of Kate Bokowy, Mikayla Schoening, Sierra Speakman and Autumn Morgan have the fastest seed time in 4A, which for the first time will no longer compete against 5A competition as the state meet changes formats.
Schoening also has the second fastest seed times in the 50 and 100 free, and Bokowy (200 IM), Kaya Wright (100 back) and Morgan (100 breast) will also be in contention for podium spots on a strong girls team. After finishing third as a team last year, the speedy squad has designs on a team state title, which is no easy task with 28 teams in the 4A ranks this year.
“The girls are poised to bring home a state title,” said first year coach Greg Jackson. “They have already done what’s needed with hard work throughout the season. All they have left to do is find their other gear.”
Jacob Ballard, who was second in the 100 breast and 200 IM last year, has the top seed time in the 100 fly and will be looking to break through for a state title in leading the Bulldog boys.
Hayden Norling is seeded No. 2 in the 500 free and will join Garrett Bamer (100 free) in seeking individual podium spots in the new 16 swimmer fields, far smaller than years past, when all classes competed against each other.
Norling, Bamer and Ballard with join William Dorman and Jack Grzincic on a pair of relay teams that also figure to contend for top three finishes. If all goes well, the Bulldog boys could bring home another team trophy after finishing fourth last year.
“The boys and I are going for top three. While we have the speed for a team title, we are really at a disadvantage in depth,” claimed Jackson. “The keys to performing well are going to be focus, and support for each other. And of course the other gear.”
The state meet is today, with the finals slated for Saturday.
BOYS STATE ROSTER
Hayden Leavitt — 200 free, 500 free, 200 free relay.
Jake Aitken — 200 free relay.
Jack Grzincic — 200 IM, 200 free relay, 400 free relay.
William Dorman — 50 free, 100 fly, 200 medley relay, 200 free relay.
Hayden Norling — 200 free, 500 free, 200 medley relay, 400 free relay.
Jacob Ballard — 100 breast, 100 butterfly, 200 medley relay, 400 free relay.
Garrett Bamer — 100 back, 100 free, 200 medley relay, 400 free relay.
GIRLS STATE ROSTER
Kate Bokowy — 100 fly, 200 IM, 200 medley relay, 200 free relay.
Sabrina Wilson — 100 breast, 400 free relay.
Clara Cave — 400 free relay.
Mikayla Schoening — 50 free, 100 free, 200 medley relay, 200 free relay.
Sierra Speakman — 100 fly, 500 free, 200 medley relay, 400 free relay.
Kaya Wright — 100 free, 100 back, 200 free relay, 400 free relay.
Briana Brosnahan — 200 free, 400 free relay.
Autumn Morgan — 100 breast, 200 IM, 200 medley relay, 200 free relay.