HONOLULU – Keenan Anaya, Katelyn Umetsu and Perry Kai led Kaua’i’s Mokihana Aquatics Swim Team to an impressive showing at the 3rd Bill Smith Kamehameha Invitational last weekend on Oahu. With high finishes in nine events, Anaya proves to be
HONOLULU – Keenan Anaya, Katelyn Umetsu and Perry Kai led Kaua’i’s Mokihana Aquatics Swim Team to an impressive showing at the 3rd Bill Smith Kamehameha Invitational last weekend on Oahu.
With high finishes in nine events, Anaya proves to be the most electrifying swimmer to represent the Garden Island. Anaya, a 13-year-old in the 13-14 year-old division, scored an unprecedented 48 points for Mokihana Aquatics, placing first in two events, third in one event, fourth in two, fifth in two and sixth in one.
Anaya won the 200-yard fly (2:08.53) and the 100-yard fly (58.01). He took third in the 50-free (24.47) and fourth in the 200-IM (2:13.52) and 100-back (1:04.02). He also placed fifth in the 200-free and 200-back.
Umetsu scored six points for Mokihana Aquatics. She took fourth in the Girls 15-16 200-yard fly (2:33.43) and placed eighth in the 200-IM (2:32.48). Umetsu also took 10th in the 200-breast and 12th in the 200-back and 100-fly.
Kai scored five points with a sixth and seventh place finish at the statewide meet. Kai took sixth in the Boys 15-16 200-yard fly (2:18.47) and seventh in the 200-IM (2:16.98). He also took 10th in the 100-back and 12th in the 200-free, 200-back and 200-Medley Relay (as leadoff).
Jason Ebesu, in the 15-16 age group, scored three points for Mokihana with a sixth place finish in the 200-breast (2:37.14). He also placed ninth in the 200-IM.
The four swimmers made up for much of Mokihana’s final tally, but they weren’t the only Kauaians to showcase impressive performances during the weekend. Mokihana Aquatics – the only U.S. sanctioned swim club on the island – continues to develop Kauaian swimmers, and it shows – most of them crushed their own best times at the meet.
Keyah-Leilani Agoot (10-under age group) improved her time in the 200-IM by more than seven seconds (3:14.27). Kesia Anaya (10-under age group) swam the 100-fly in 1:34.16, eight second better than her best time in the event. Roxy Dubois ( 13-14 age group) improved her 100-free time by a little over one second (1:07.14).
Sarah Faraola (10-under) improved almost all of her times by more than five seconds, including the 50-breast, 100-free, 50-free, 100-breast and 50-back. Kelsey O’Connor improved on her 100-back (1:35.50) by more than seven seconds. Tyson Chihara (11-12) improved his 100-breast time by five seconds, his 100-fly by over six seconds, and his 200-free, which he swam in 2:29.56, by over 11 seconds.
10-under Gareth Crabb comes from Kamehameha six seconds faster in his 100-free (1:22.27) and two seconds better in his 50-free (36.28).
Kyson Gusukuma, who placed a high 12th in the 13-14 200-IM (2:40.86), improved his 200-free time by over six seconds.
And Kai, Anaya, Umetsu and Ebesu, the high scorers, also made vast improvements in their times at the meet.
