Bokowy earns title of fastest swimmer in state
SANDPOINT — Sandpoint freshman Payton Bokowy left little doubt who the fastest high school swimmer in Idaho is, claiming state titles in the two marquee sprint events and leading the Bulldog girls to a second place showing in the 4A ranks at the Idaho State Swimming Championships last weekend at the Boise Aquatics Center.
Bokowy doubled up in the 50 and 100 free, akin to winning the 100 and 200 meter sprints in track, an especially amazing accomplishment considering she was a freshman competing against 5A schools. There is no class distinction in state swimming events.
Bulldogs head coach Mike Brosnahan said he wasn’t surprised to see Bokowy double up at state, an almost unheard of feat for a freshman.
“With Payton, she always rises to the occasion. If it’s going to be close, she can always give it a little extra,” described Brosnahan. “Nothing really rattled her for a freshman going into a state meet.”
Bokowy clocked a 24.58 to edge her Centennial opponent by just .08 seconds in the 50, and a 53.33 to beat a different Centennial swimmer by .8 seconds in the 100. Bokowy’s nerves were tested in the heat before the finals, when a mistake by the starter caused confusion and she was the last one out of the blocks. She still managed to finish fourth, and knew things would be different in the eight swimmer “big” finals.
“She qualified fourth with a crappy swim. When she went into finals, she said ‘I know I’m a lot faster than that,’” said Brosnahan. “As she got to the last seven meters, she was pulling ahead. Nothing easy about either of her races, but she won them fair and square; she dominated.”
Freshman Emily Deitz had a strong state showing as well, finishing fourth in the 100 back and 9th in the 200 individual medley. Deitz hoped to contend for a state title as well, but gained valuable experience and now knows what it takes to win at state.
“She did outstanding,” said Brosnahan of Deitz. “To be a freshman and make the big finals in anything, that’s a big deal.”
Sophomore Kate Matlosz also had a strong meet, finishing 6th in the 50 free and 13th in the 100 breast. Senior Madison Contor was the only other Bulldog to advance to the finals, finishing 16th in the 100 free.
The four aforementioned swimmers also teamed up to finish 3rd in the 400 relay and fifth in the 200 medley relay. Despite just four swimmers in the finals, there were enough high finishes to earn points for second place in the 4A ranks, and fifth among the more than 60 schools competing. For the first time ever, team scores were separated by class, even though the fields are not.
“The relays pulled together and really hammered. I think they were expecting to win those, and realized how tough the competition really is,” admitted Brosnahan. “The kids all dropped time in their events. All of the swimmers at the meet were calm and prepared, and ready.”
Brosnahan also praised Contor, the lone Bulldog senior competing at state.
“There’s a fine distinction between kids that swim year around, and the kids who swim in the high school season,” said Brosnahan, noting Contor only competes for her school. “That says a lot for her athleticism.”
Led by the trio of Bokowy, Deitz and Matlosz, and some more fast swimmers set to hit high school soon, the future is bright for the Bulldog swim team. Brosnahan was asked if his team could win a state title or two in the future.
“Absolutely,” he answered. “We’re losing one fast senior, and we’re gaining a handful of fast freshman next year, and the year after that.”