Sharks Sizzle at Spokane Solstice meet
The Sandpoint Sharks had plenty of strong performances at the SWAT Summer Solstice swim meet June 23-25 at Witter Pool in Spokane. The Sharks had 24 swimmers, ranging from 10 to 21 years of age, dominate in various events.
The girls 12U freestyle relay which consisted of Athena de Leeuw, Addyson Tyler, Savannah Ferris and Alivia Storms won their heat by over 20 seconds. The race was exciting to watch, head coach Emily Renzini said.
Ironic since it was the “summer solstice” meet, 12-year-old Addyson Tyler started her competitive swim career off by winning her heat in the 50-meter backstroke with a time of 1:07.26. On the contrary, it was the final meet for senior Ayiana Prevost who completed her career with a strong 800-meter freestyle and 200-meter breaststroke with times of 12:43.48 and 3:45.10, respectively.
“This was a fun meet to coach with so many swimmers at so many different levels,” Renzini said. “Ryleigh Bamer has been swimming with me for years. This weekend she took first in the 400-meter freestyle with a new racing strategy — taking it out faster and holding the pace throughout the race. She dropped eight seconds.”
The team has been getting stronger with some added weekday morning swim practices and dry-land sessions several times a week. Two swimmers, Eli Norling and Athena de Leeuw, have benefited from the extra practices as they both qualified for the Inland Empire Swimming Long Course Championship meet for their performances at the Summer Solstice.
Joshua Jackson showed he could compete in a wide-range of events winning his heats in the 400-meter freestyle with a time of 6:23.91 for a fourth place overall finish, the 50-meter breaststroke with a time of 1:02.45 and the 100-meter freestyle with a time of 1:24.73.
Also competing in multiple events was Terra Converse. Converse proved her mental and physical strength by competing in difficult, back-to-back events, Renzini said.
“Terra had a hard 200-meter backstroke and then she had to turn around and race the 100-meter butterfly shortly after,” she said. “She went into that 100 fly with a positive attitude and ended up dropping two seconds for a new personal best. I think this goes to show how our athletes are growing and maturing in and out of the pool.”
The Sandpoint Sharks will head to Moses Lake, Wash., July 7-9 for the Sizzlin’ Summer Splash meet. This will be the final chance for the Sharks to make qualifying times for the IES LC Championship meet later this month.
“We’re on course to have several athletes at champs,” Renzini said. “But I’m always hopeful to keep adding to that roster.”
