Mokihana Aquatics head coach Orlando Anaya promises to bring home a trophy from the 32nd Annual Soichi Sakamoto Invitational on Maui. With only today’s events to go, Mokihana sits in seventh place out of 18 teams. Anaya said the top
Mokihana Aquatics head coach Orlando Anaya promises to bring home a trophy from the 32nd Annual Soichi Sakamoto Invitational on Maui.
With only today’s events to go, Mokihana sits in seventh place out of 18 teams. Anaya said the top eight squads receive trophies.
“It would be safe to say we should bring home a trophy,” he said. “The kids are doing really well.”
Mokihana is about 500 points behind tournament leader Lahaina.
Keenan Anaya is tied for second in his age group for the overall title. He’s placed no lower than second place in each of his events.
“Everyone has contributed,” Anaya said. “It has been such a team effort. I’ve never seen our team compete like this before. We’re taking points left and right.”
Other Mokihana standouts include Kyson Gusukuma, Matthew Holzman, Kelsey Tanaka, Matthew Ross, Stephen Valenciano, Keyah-Leilani Agoot, Kesia Anaya, Meaghan Sims, Kaitlyn Jarry, Torrey Ikeda and Kelly Culliney.
“The kids are doing Herculean tasks, swimming nine races in one day,” Anaya said. “It’s unheard of. Some people might call it child abuse.”
Swim Kauai Aquatics has five athletes at the meet, including Anya Littlefield, Ben Baldwin, Michelle Woltmon, Emma Rausch and Sonya James. They are currently in 12th place.
• Duane Shimogawa Jr., sports editor, may be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 257) or kauaisports@kauaipubco.com.
