ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Michael Mamola, Rathdrum

Michael Mamola

Rathdrum

Mamola, 16, qualified for the 2026 Open Water Junior Nationals by finishing sixth in the USA Swimming Western Zone Championships on Aug. 25 on Lake Coeur d’Alene. Mamola, who won state titles while competing for Lakeland High in the 200-yard freestyle and 500 freestyle in the state 4A meet in 2023, finished the Western Zone Championships in 1 hours, 3 minutes and 25 seconds.