YOUTH SPORTS: 15 Sandpoint Sharks break personal records at Whitworth meet

SPOKANE — All 15 Sandpoint Sharks swimmers who competed at the Spokane Waves Aquatic Team Winter Invitational at the Whitworth University Aquatic Center from Dec. 6-8 not only swam fast, but broke their own personal records in doing so.

“We had 100% time drops from the kids," head coach Emily Renzini said. "That doesn’t always happen at swim meets. I was very excited to see how much the kids have improved in just two weeks from the last meet they were at."

This was the Sharks' mid-season “rest” swim meet as they start to taper for the upcoming IES Short Course Championships, set to be held Feb. 28 through Mar. 2 at the University of Idaho.

In the 100-yard backstroke, Nolan Owens (15 years old) made his first ever finals appearance and placed sixth with a time of 1:17.79, besting his previous best time by approximately two seconds.

Joshua Jackson (12), continued to impress, dropping significant time in multiple events and winning the 500 freestyle (6:00.42), the 100 freestyle (1:01.06) and the 100 backstroke (1:11.53).

“He was out to win," Renzini said. "You could see it every time he got behind the blocks before his events and I was really thrilled to see him so zoned in.”

The Sharks' 10-and-under age group swimmers also had remarkable swims, winning many of their heats — that being a huge success at that age. The days were long for the older swimmers in the purple and black squad, with warm-ups starting at 8 a.m. and racing until 8 p.m., but the Sharks were willing and cheerful, encouraging one another throughout the meet.

“The team has never been this fast mid-season, so I am really excited for our champs meet in March," Renzini said. "We still have a lot of work to do, but there is no doubt our team can do it. Coach Alin (Moss) and I couldn’t be more proud with the results of this meet."

The Sandpoint Sharks next swim team tryouts are as follows: Friday, Dec. 27, 4 p.m.; Thursday, Jan. 2, 4 p.m.; Friday, Jan. 3, 4 p.m. For more information, contact head coach Emily Renzini at headcoach@sandpointsharks.com.

SANDPOINT SHARKS TOP 1/2 SWIMS

8U: Kate Bracht — (2nd in 25 backstroke, 32.87). Emerson Johnson — (3rd in 100 backstroke, 2:19.35). 9-10: Charlie Johnson — (9th in 200 freestyle, 3:03.73; 10th in 50 backstroke, 42.92; 11th in 50 breaststroke, 53.21, 13th in 100 freestyle, 1:24.98; 7th in 100 backstroke, 1:32.29; 8th in 100 breaststroke, 1:51.53; 7th in 50 freestyle, 35.36). Payne Coleman — (6th in 50 backstroke, 40.34; 12th in 100 freestyle, 1:24.04; 4th in 50 butterfly, 44.31; 8th in 100 backstroke, 1:33.38; 11th in 50 freestyle, 35.36). 11-12: Josh Jackson — (1st in 500 freestyle, 6:00.42; 3rd in 50 backstroke, 34.08; 3rd in 200 IM, 2:41.95; 1st in 100 freestyle, 1:01.06; 8th in 100 breaststroke, 1:28.30; 1st in 100 backstroke, 1:11.53; 3rd in 50 butterfly, 35.94). Charley-Rain Olpin — (7th in 500 freestyle, 6:34.49; 9th in 200 backstroke, 2:47.51; 8th in 100 breaststroke, 1:37.91; 9th in 100 IM, 1:20.30). Allyson Ballard — (2nd in 50 backstroke, 32.64; 5th in 200 IM, 2:43.56; 3rd in 100 freestyle, 1:02.80). 13-14: Alivia Storms — (1st in 50 breaststroke, 37.20; 9th in 100 freestyle, 1:04.33; 5th in 200 backstroke, 2:39.70; 8th in 50 freestyle, 29.47; 8th in 100 backstroke, 1:15.63; 3rd in 200 freestyle, 2:20.16). Claire Ballard — (16th in 100 freestyle, 1:08.26). 150: Max Brown — (4th in 100 freestyle, 58.10)