FALL SPORTS PREVIEW: Sandpoint swimming returns key contributors, boasts strong newcomers

LAST SEASON: GIRLS — 4A District 1-2 Champions, 4A State Champions. BOYS — 4A District 1-2 Runner-up, fifth at 4A State Championship.

SWIMMERS TO WATCH: GIRLS — Ryleigh Bamer, sr.; Ava de Leeuw, sr.; Mia Driggs, jr.; Reina Montecchi, so.; Bria Rocke, jr. BOYS — Ikaika Leavitt, jr.; Kale Wright, jr.; McCoy Jensen, jr.; Lou Foust, fr.

GIRLS

History often repeats itself, especially when it comes to Sandpoint High girls swimming, who are regularly amongst the best in the state of Idaho. Believe it or not, the Lady Bulldogs only graduated one contributing senior from last year's 2023 state championship team.

"It always feels good when you only lose a couple of swimmers, but anything can happen throughout the season," head coach Greg Jackson said. "Bishop Kelly now leaves our division, who has always been our top competitor, but you never know until you see the season play itself out. We have had two-three, maybe even four girls swimmers that we had last year, that weren't seniors, that aren't coming back, so that's going to make it a challenge. At the same time, we have swimmers that we didn't expect to have."

Jackson says the team still has great speed and will be able to put together some great relays.

Senior Ryleigh Bamer, a 4A District 1-2 champion in both the 50-meter freestyle and 100-meter butterfly returns. At the 4A state championship, she was part of the 200-yard medley relay team that won gold and placed third in the 50-meter freestyle, third in the 100-meter butterfly, and was part of Sandpoint's 400-meter freestyle relay that placed second.

Senior Ava de Leeuw is another returner. de Leeuw was second in both the 200 and 500-meter freestyle at the 4A District 1-2 Championship last year, only behind Lakeland High's Makena Mamola. At state, she was a part of the 400-meter freestyle relay, the 200-meter freestyle relay which finished third, and placed fourth in both the 200 and 500-meter freestyle. de Leeuw's primary event is the 500 free; she is hoping to break five minutes and 20 seconds this season.

Junior Mia Driggs and sophomore Reina Montecchi will make a big impact this season as well. Montecchi and Driggs finished first and second, respectively, in the 100-meter freestyle at last year's district championship. At the state championship, the two were able to score points for the Lady Bulldogs in four different events. Junior Bria Rocke is looking to have a breakthrough season after finishing second at the district championships and 10th in the state in the 200-meter individual medley last season.

Coach Jackson is also excited about freshman Fiona Smith and sophomore Summer Loutzenhiser, who formerly competed for Lakeland High.

BOYS

This year, the boys team is bigger than the girls, something coach Jackson says he can't remember ever happening during his coaching tenure. In 2023, the Bulldogs placed second at the district championship and fifth at state. With a fair amount of returners and some solid incoming freshman, the team is hoping to improve upon those marks.

"It will be interesting to see what we can do with more numbers," coach Jackson said. "We got some speed in McCoy Jensen and Kale Wright, and both of them are coming back. We're adding key freshman like Lou Foust into that mix as well."

Another freshman set to make an immediate impact is Bodi Demmons.

"He's going to be a good asset," coach Jackson said of Demmons. "I've watched him swim over the years and he is just a very methodical and technical swimmer. He's gained some height over the last year, so I feel as he gets more comfortable with his body, that methodical, technical, type of swimming is really going to show itself in his success."

Junior Kale Wright will lead this year's young, but tough team. Wright was second in the 100-meter freestyle at last year's district championship and third at the state championship. He was also one of three then sophomores that placed third in the 200-meter freestyle relay at state.

"I'm really excited for the season," Wright said. "Well see what the team needs this year; I'll do whatever is needed. We have a lot of new freshman and a better chance at a state title. I'm specifically excited for the 200 free relay. I think we have a chance at the state record and team record — we have a good set of guys for that."

Junior Kai Leavitt returns as well and brings along his freshman brother, Oliver.

"Kai is another good support swimmer," coach Jackson said. "In fact, it wasn't until his brother was a junior that he really came on. There is a lot of potential in that family."

Kai and Oliver are the brother of Hayden Leavitt, former state record holder in the 100-meter freestyle.

Freshman Nolan Owens and Max Brown, as well senior Max Zuberbuhler, are also expected to be contributors this season.

"The boys have a ton of potential to tap into," coach Jackson said. "This year, and the next couple of years, are going to be pretty fun to watch on the gentleman's side."

Overall, between both teams, it's the first year that the Sandpoint High swim team has done two practices a day, which coach Jackson said he is excited to see the impact of.

"We're coming at it from a different angle this year, focusing more on technique-driven work," coach Jackson said. "In a short season, I'm thinking that's going to have a better impact on our swimmers. We're doing more stroke analysis, which in the past we typically didn't have the time for. I'm really excited for the season."

SHS SWIMMING SCHEDULE

9/7 — @ Univ. of Idaho Meet

9/14 — @ Kroc Center Meet

9/28 — @ Boise Brave-Knights Invitational

10/11 — Home Invitational @ YMCA

10/12 — @ Kroc Center Meet

10/19 — @ Kroc Center Meet

10/26 — @ Univ. of Idaho Meet

    Sandpoint High senior Ava de Leeuw competes in the 2024 Long Bridge Swim held Aug. 3, 2024.