“Today was Christmas and birthday all wrapped up into one for Matthew (Holtzman),” Mokihana Aquatics head coach Orlando Anaya said. Holtzman improved all of his times and made his first-ever state final in the 50 breast event for the 11-12
“Today was Christmas and birthday all wrapped up into one for Matthew (Holtzman),” Mokihana Aquatics head coach Orlando Anaya said.
Holtzman improved all of his times and made his first-ever state final in the 50 breast event for the 11-12 boys division at the 2006 Hawai’i State Age Group Short Course Championships.
“Our biggest goal for our club is to see Matthew make a final and he did it,” Anaya said.
Holtzman will be swimming in the finals today at the Kihei Aquatic Center on Maui.
“It’s a process. First you make some state finals and then you become a champion. That was his goal and his meet is accomplished,” Anaya said.
Meanwhile, Keenan Anaya (17-18 boys) went in with a number four seed and took a bronze medal. In the 50 free, he nabbed a sixth seed and came in fourth-place overall. Anaya has six state championships to his credit. Today, Anaya is competing in the 100 back, 100 free, and 100 IM events.
“His championships are all in the butterfly. He hasn’t swam for two years, so that’s a pretty amazing accomplishment,” Anaya said.
Anaya also carded a fourth place finish in the 200 free.
Ben Baldwin (15-16 boys) swam in the 200 free, 200 fly, and 400 IM, 100 breast.
In the 100 breast he placed 10th. In the 200 free, he was seeded sixth, but took eighth place. Baldwin is going for the gold in the 200 IM today.
Mokihana Aquatics still selling Christmas Trees
Mokihana Aquatics still has some Christmas Trees available for sale, which is a fund-raiser for the club. They deliver the $60 refrigerated 6-7-foot, premium Douglas Firs to any location. Contact Coach “O” at 821-0587 or 651-4216 for more info. They will be selling trees across from The Shack in Kapa’a and at Two Frogs Hugging from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
