Red Raider boys earn first state relay berth

More individuals qualified for the state swimming championships, but yesterday was the first time a relay team eclipsed the state time, as Kaua‘i’s Jarred Perry, Nick Murray, Cory Riley, and Keenan Anaya qualified in the boys 200 yard medley relay with a time of 1:53.41.

Also, two pool records were broken, by two familiar faces in Island School’s Ben Baldwin and Kaua‘i’s Jarred Perry. Both have already qualified for states and added to their events list yesterday at Kaua‘i High School’s pool in the KIF’s second qualifying meet.

Perry broke the record in the boys 50 yard freestyle (23:14), which was previously held by Keli‘i Akana-Ka‘aihue (23:42) in 2003. Along with the record-breaking time, Perry also qualified for states in the 50 free.

In the meantime, Baldwin continued his assault on the KIF with a record-breaking performance in the boys 200 yard IM (2:08.19). The Island School frosh shattered Keenan Anaya’s record (2:08.77). Baldwin also qualified for states in the 200 IM.

Baldwin made another big splash in the boys 100 yard breast stroke with a state qualifying time of 1:06.67. Baldwin leads the KIF with three state qualifiers.

Kaua‘i’s Keenan Anaya made his presence felt with his first meet this season, after deciding to get back into the pool.

Anaya cruised in the boys 100 yard back stroke (1:01.05), which was good enough for states. He also qualified for states in the boys 100 yard fly (57.42).

Teamwise, Kapa‘a took the spot in for the girls with 98 points, followed closely by Kaua‘i with 62 points, Waimea with 32, Kula with 18, and Island with 14.

The Kaua‘i boys dominated with 121 points, next up was Waimea with 29 points, Kapa‘a with 24, Kula with 19, and Island with 17 points.

KIF swimming splashes its way to Kaua‘i High School’s pool on Saturday, Jan. 29 for another pent-angular qualifier, which starts at 10 a.m.