SHS swim downs Lakeland in dual, preps for districts

COEUR d'ALENE — The Sandpoint swim team bested Lakeland in a dual meet this past Saturday at the Kroc Center.

The girls took care of the Hawks 168-106 while the boys won 153-107 over Lakeland.

It was the final meet of the season for the Bulldogs prior to districts. Due to the coronavirus, districts will essentially serve as state for teams around Idaho.

Times recorded at districts will count toward state awards and determine champions.

Because of that, Sandpoint began tapering in preparation for "state" last week.

Sandpoint head coach Greg Jackson said it takes time for the body to adjust to tapering and the Bulldogs were right in the middle of that process during Saturday's meet with Lakeland.

"We're in a unique spot in our season where I wasn't necessarily expecting them to be real quick or dropping times," he said. "We were kind of in that lull as we're preparing for districts. Kids went a little bit slower than they might have liked, but it's all just part of the process."

Despite that, the Bulldogs dominated the meet. Out of the 22 events, Sandpoint only lost four to the Hawks.

The girls swept the three relays and freshman Sarah Hogue had a strong showing. She grabbed first in the 200-yard IM and 100 back and was a part of two winning relays.

Sophomore Emily Ballard continued to impress taking first in the 200 free and second in the 100 breast.

"She had a pretty darn good meet," Jackson said about Ballard. "She swam an incredible 200 freestyle. I think that was an incredible time for her."

Senior captain Kate Bokowy placed first in the 100 free and second in the 200 free, Ayiana Prevost secured first in the 100 fly and McKinley Jensen captured first in the 500 free and second in the 200 IM. Freshman Emma Schmitt notched a pair of runner-up finishes in the 100 fly and 500 free and Kaya Wright took second in the 50 free and third in the 200 free. Maren Davidson also placed second in the 100 back.

The boys continue to look ready to knock off Moscow and reclaim the district crown with depth they haven't had in years past.

The Norling brothers were dominant. Hayden won the 200 IM and 500 free and Caleb claimed first in the 100 fly and 100 back. Hayden Leavitt also secured a pair of victories in the 50 and 100 free.

Aidan Nielsen placed first in the 200 free and second in the 100 back, Jack Grzincic finished second in the 200 free and third in the 500 free and Collin Dodd grabbed second in the 50 free and third in the 100 back.

"He swam really well," Jackson said about Dodd. "That's the best meet he's had since the beginning of the year."

Jake Aitken took second in the 100 breast and 100 free.

Jackson said it's been stressful managing the tapering and making sure he isn't giving the swimmers too much rest.

"I can tell the kids are getting antsy," he said. "They got a lot more energy. They're definitely more rested and going to be ready this weekend."

Jackson said districts will certainly feel different due to the stakes and he's doing his best to prepare the Bulldogs for the challenges they might face.

"The biggest thing I've been telling the kids is you got to feel like someone is right next to you," he said. "Just because we're in the pool and you're out in front doesn't mean there's not somebody somewhere else in another pool that's maybe going a little bit faster."

The 4A Region 1 championships are set for 4 p.m. Saturday at the Kroc Center. Spectators are not allowed inside, but the event will be livestreamed on the Kroc Center Facebook page and the 7B Swim Facebook page.

BOYS

DUAL SCORE — Sandpoint 153, Lakeland 107.

200-yard medley relay — 1, Lakeland, 1:52.35. 2, Sandpoint (Jack Grzincic, Jake Aitken, Aidan Nielsen, Hayden Norling), 1:52.93.

200 freestyle — 1, Aidan Nielsen, Sandpoint, 2:04.57. 2, Jack Grzincic, Sandpoint, 2:06.23. 3, Logan Harris, Lakeland, 2:10.03.

200 individual medley — 1, Hayden Norling, Sandpoint, 2:15.96. 2, Soren Sabatke, Lakeland, 2:29.38. 3, Jarron Kremin, Lakeland, 2:37.63.

50 freestyle — 1, Hayden Leavitt, Sandpoint, 23.47. 2, Collin Dodd, Sandpoint, 25.53. 3, Cameron Paquette, Lakeland, 26.69.

100 butterfly — 1, Caleb Norling, Sandpoint, 58.60. 2, Jarron Kremin, Lakeland, 1:08.93. 3, Jacob Slocum, Sandpoint, 1:13.34.

100 freestyle — 1, Hayden Leavitt, Sandpoint, 51.65. 2, Jake Aitken, Sandpoint, 56.51. 3, Cameron Paquette, Lakeland, 59.91.

500 freestyle — 1, Hayden Norling, Sandpoint, 5:25.33. 2, Wayne Carwell, Lakeland, 5:35.67. 3, Jack Grzincic, Sandpoint, 5:39.50.

200 freestyle relay — 1, Sandpoint (Aidan Nielsen, Jake Aitken, Caleb Norling, Hayden Leavitt), 1:36.81. 2, Sandpoint (Clayton Eberly, Harrison Gedde, Logan Liken-Savage, Jacob Slocum), 1:57.21.

100 backstroke — 1, Caleb Norling, Sandpoint, 1:03.06. 2, Aidan Nielsen, 1:07.06. 3, Collin Dodd, Sandpoint, 1:08.12.

100 breaststroke — 1, Quin McGovern, Lakeland, 1:07.13. 2, Jake Aitken, Sandpoint, 1:17.31. 3, Wyatt Aramburu, Lakeland, 1:37.69.

400 freestyle relay — 1, Sandpoint (Jack Grzincic, Hayden Norling, Caleb Norling, Hayden Leavitt), 3:34.03. 2, Lakeland, 3:45.22.

GIRLS

DUAL SCORE — Sandpoint 168, Lakeland 106.

200-yard medley relay — 1, Sandpoint (Kaya Wright, Sabrina Wilson, Ayiana Prevost, McKinley Jensen), 2:14.62. 2, Lakeland, 2:19.70.

200 freestyle — 1, Emily Ballard, Sandpoint, 2:07.89. 2, Kate Bokowy, Sandpoint, 2:11.71. 3, Kaya Wright, Sandpoint, 2:23.55.

200 individual medley — 1, Sarah Hogue, Sandpoint, 2:36.30. 2, McKinley Jensen, Sandpoint, 2:56.03. 3, Cassidy Aitken, Sandpoint, 3:04.73.

50 freestyle — 1, Annika Olson, Lakeland, 28.02. 2, Kaya Wright, Sandpoint, 28.22. 3, Sydney Garrity, Lakeland, 28.90.

100 butterfly — 1, Ayiana Prevost, Sandpoint, 1:20.13. 2, Emma Schmitt, Sandpoint, 1:28.51. 3, Addy Hobbs, Lakeland, 1:30.49.

100 freestyle — 1, Kate Bokowy, Sandpoint, 58.59. 2, Rylie Johnston, Lakeland, 1:10.03. 3, Maddie Hunter, Lakeland, 1:10.78.

500 freestyle — 1, McKinley Jensen, Sandpoint, 6:48.91. 2, Emma Schmitt, Sandpoint, 7:27.81. 3, Chandler Sanborn, Sandpoint, 7:43.02.

200 freestyle relay — 1, Sandpoint (Kaya Wright, Sarah Hogue, Emily Ballard, Kate Bokowy), 1:50.31. 2, Sandpoint (Kayelin Johansen, Cassidy Aitken, Analise Mullen, Sabrina Wilson), 2:23.13.

100 backstroke — 1, Sarah Hogue, Sandpoint, 1:12.91. 2, Maren Davidson, Sandpoint, 1:16.69. 3, Caitlyn Smith, Sandpoint, 1:23.88.

100 breaststroke — 1, Annika Olson, Lakeland, 1:16.26. 2, Emily Ballard, Sandpoint, 1:19.01. 3, Sydney Garrity, Lakeland, 1:20.63.

400 freestyle relay — 1, Sandpoint (Sarah Hogue, Ayiana Prevost, Emily Ballard, Kate Bokowy), 4:04.39. 2, Lakeland, 4:37.79.