Sandpoint Special Olympics Swim Team Claims Multiple First-Place Finishes at Idaho Northern Summer Regionals
Sandpoint Athletes Dominate at University of Idaho Swim Center
MOSCOW, Idaho — The Sandpoint Special Olympics swim team delivered a standout performance at the Northern Summer Regionals on April 25, with all eight competing athletes earning at least one first-place ribbon at the University of Idaho Swim Center in Moscow. Nearly every athlete also recorded at least one lifetime personal best during the competition.
The Sandpoint contingent traveled to Moscow representing Bonner County alongside unified athletes Trace and Owen Bennett, as well as a teammate from Kootenai. The group returned home with a strong haul of ribbons reflecting months of dedicated preparation and team growth.
Coach Meggie Foust praised the commitment her athletes showed leading into the regional meet. “As a coach, I am very proud of the hard work and commitment each athlete has made these past two months in training,” Foust said. “I’m also very grateful to Sue Ball and Tammy Hudson for all of their volunteer efforts to make sure each athlete gets the help they need.”
Foust added that watching the athletes surprise themselves was one of the most rewarding aspects of the competition. “It is always fun to see the athletes reach new goals and surprise themselves with their own strength,” she said. “This year was a very special team filled with dedicated athletes — it was awesome to see their hard work pay off.”
Individual Results and Standout Performances
Among the individual highlights, Beverly Hudson broke the one-minute barrier in the 50-meter freestyle, finishing first with a time of 59.33 seconds. She also took first in the 25 freestyle with a time of 24.30. Campbell Wyman collected three gold medals, winning the 100 breast (1:37.34), the 25 freestyle (15.79), and the 200 individual medley (3:20.44).
Jordan Bennett posted major personal bests in both the 100 back (1:48.90) and the 200 free (3:14.36), earning first-place finishes in both events. Elliott Ball swept the walk events, winning the 15-meter walk (11.00) and the 25-meter walk (45.00), and also placed fourth in the 15-meter kick board (35.00).
Autumn Schindler achieved personal bests in both of her events, placing first in the 15-meter kick and third in the 25-meter kick. Oliver Bond placed second in the 15-meter walk and first in the 25-meter kick board (43.27), while Bob Leichtman took first in the 25-meter flotation (1:51.62).
Unified athletes Trace and Owen Bennett teamed with Sandpoint swimmers in two relay events, both of which resulted in wins. Hudson, Trace Bennett, Jordan Bennett, and Owen Bennett won the 100 free relay (1:08.25), and Wyman joined the Bennett trio to win the 200 IM relay (2:26.78).
Coach Melissa Wyman highlighted the remarkable growth of the Sandpoint program heading into this season. “Last year, we had three competing athletes… this year we have grown to eight competing athletes, and they all came in eager to learn,” Wyman said. “It is an amazing moment to watch all of them find their success.”
The team’s expansion from three to eight competing athletes in a single year reflects broader community investment in the Special Olympics program across North Idaho. Volunteer support from individuals including Sue Ball and Tammy Hudson has been credited as a key factor in enabling the program’s growth and ensuring athletes receive individualized attention during training and competition.
What Comes Next
The Sandpoint Special Olympics team will next compete at the State Summer Games, scheduled for May 29–30 in the Greater Boise Area. The state-level competition will bring together Special Olympics athletes from across Idaho and will give the Sandpoint squad an opportunity to build on the momentum generated at the Northern Summer Regionals. For more on statewide events and Idaho community stories, visit Idaho News and the Idaho News Network.