Sandpoint Sharks on the podium
Pictured from left to right; Ava DeLeeuw, Ryleigh Bamer, Ayiana Prevost, Coach Sara Zwink, Caleb Norling, Lou Foust, McCoy Jensen, Myelle Jensen and Mia Driggs represent the Sandpoint Sharks at the 2023 Cougar Classic meet in Pullman, WA
Eli Norling, Coach Sara Zwink, Bodi Demmons and Lou Foust prepare for finals at the 2023 Junior Championships in Pullman, WA
The Sandpoint Sharks swim team has had a busy few weeks representing North Idaho in two big regional meets — The Cougar Classic and Junior Championships, both held at Washington State University in early February.
At the Cougar Classic, seniors Caleb Norling and Ayiana Prevost were recognized for their leadership roles within the club.
“Ayiana and Caleb have been awesome teammates and great role models for our younger swimmers,” head coach Sara Zwink said. “Caleb is always on the pool deck cheering and motivating younger swimmers and Ayiana has been a dedicated coach for the beginner teams. Both will be greatly missed.”
Caleb Norling, who will swim at the collegiate level next season, was awarded the Swimmer of the Meet at the Cougar Classic. He achieved two personal best times in the 50 free (23.48) and the 100 breaststroke (1:09.28).
Other noteworthy swims for the weekend include McCoy Jensen in the 100 butterfly (1:00.20) and Myelle Jensen in the 200 free with a 10-second drop for a time of 2:16.94. Lou Foust qualified for our Short Course Championship meet in the 50 free with a time of 27.39.
At the Junior Championships, the younger swimmers got a chance to experience a larger, more competitive meet along with all of the other Swim Sharks.
Lou Foust brought home the Swimmer of the Meet award.
“Lou was on the pool deck early for every single one of his events,” Zwink said. “He asked his coaches what to do to prepare for his races and cheered on every single one of his teammates. Lou achieved best times in multiple events and was first overall in the 50 free (26.50) and 100 free (57.77).”
Savannah Ferris dropped over 13 seconds in her 50 breastroke (57.21), Bodi Demmons placed third overall in the 200 free (2:33.46) and 50 back (35.23), Eli Norling dropped over nine seconds in the 100 butterfly (1:36.33), and Andrew Ford crushed it in the 50 breaststroke (41.06).
Joshua Jackson dropped four seconds in the 50 butterfly (42.73) and did extremely well in his 100 backstroke (1:31.99).
Coming up, the Sandpoint Sharks will attend the Short Course Championships at the University of Idaho March 3-5.
Mia Driggs, Caleb Norling, Ryleigh Bamer, Myelle Jensen, McCoy Jensen, Lou Foust and Ava DeLeeuw have qualified for the meet and will represent the sharks the only way they know how — FAST.
