Sandpoint Sharks compete at Vandals Trick or Treat Meet

MOSCOW — The Sandpoint Sharks youth swim team is not only getting faster, it’s getting larger. 17 swimmers competed for the Sharks on Sunday, Oct. 29, at Vandals Trick or Treat Meet held at the University of Idaho. For nine of those swimmers, it was their first time stepping up onto the starting block.

“This is a fun, one day meet,” coach Emily Renzini said. “It’s a great opportunity for swimmers to try new racing strategies and for all ages to be on the pool deck at the same time.”

Sisters Charlie and Emerson Johnson both had strong swims in their Sharks debut.

“Charlie is only eight (years old) and placed third in the 50 free (54.26),” Renzini said. “At six years old, Emerson was not only brave enough to dive off the blocks at her first meet, but she also attempted fast flip turns in each of her races.”

With a bigger team, the Sharks have also been able to put together a variety of relays which really brings out the team's competitive spirit.

“Our girls 200 free relay took ninth,” Renzini said. “That was the first time any of them had been in a relay. We had a few moments before the race to practice transitions. They were nervous going into it, but swam fast.”

The girls 200 free relay consisted of Edyn Straw, Payne Coleman, Jenna Baroni and Savannah Ferris.

The boys 200 free relay, which took fifth overall, consisted of Max Brown, Andrew Ford, Eli Norling and Lou Foust.

“Max Brown led the relay off with a split of 30.41,” Renzini said. “They held the lead in their heat which is always exciting and came out a strong fifth overall.”

In addition to his efforts in the 200 free relay, Norling finished among the top 10 in all of his events Sunday. He swam two massive personal bests, dropping roughly 19 seconds in the 100 breast (1:38.87) and almost 12 seconds in the 100 free (1:07.21).

Lou Foust also had solid swims over the weekend. Foust managed to pick up third place in the 13-14 boys 100 back (1:08.4), fourth in the 100 breast (1:25.00), fourth in the 100 free (57.82), and fourth in the 200 IM (2:30.05). In the 200 IM, Foust set a new personal best by about three seconds.

Next up for the Sandpoint Sharks will be the Adam England Fall Splash held Nov. 10-12 at the Kroc Center in Coeur d’Alene.