Ryann Linthicum paced the four Swim Kaua‘i Aquatics swimmers at the Hawai‘i State Age Group Championships over the weekend in Kona. Linthicum, medalling in two of her seven events, finished with improvements in six of her seven events. Trimming almost
Ryann Linthicum paced the four Swim Kaua‘i Aquatics swimmers at the Hawai‘i State Age Group Championships over the weekend in Kona.
Linthicum, medalling in two of her seven events, finished with improvements in six of her seven events.
Trimming almost eight seconds in the 500 Free, Linthicum stopped the clock at 5:58.89 for a seventh-place medal.
She also earned seventh in the 50 Back with a time of 32.48, better than her entry time of 33.89.
Linthicum posted improvements in the 100 Free (1:02.70), 200 Free (2:16.37) and the 100 Individual Medley (1:13.47).
Anya Littlefield shattered her entry time in the 500 Free by 17 seconds to medal in sixth place at 5:52.33.
According to coach Ro Davis, who e-mailed results, this was the highest individual finish for any SKA swimmer at the meet. Littlefield also finished in 15th place in the 200 Free (2:18.12), an improvement over her entry time.
Matt Ross, swimming unattached, finished with a perfect meet, earning lifetime best times in his four events.
Ross ended in 13th place for two events, the 200 Back (2:15.98) and the 100 Breast (1:10.47).
He also posted improvements in the 100 Free (54:31, good for 22nd) and 100 Back (1:02.23, placing 19th).
Emma Rausch’s first appearance at the state championships was a good one, highlighted by a 14th-place finish in the 100 Breast (1:20.7) and 20th-place showing in the 100 Back (1:10.74).
“We are so proud of Emma,” Davis said. “Not only did she swim well, but she and her mom changed their flight to stay at the meet longer than planned in order to root for Ryann in the finals of the 50 Back. That shows a real commitment to the team.”
Coach Greg Davis, who was with the team at poolside, was overjoyed with his swimmers’ efforts and results.
“We competed exceptionally well at this meet,” he said. “I am very proud of our kids. Considering that all four of them were competing in their first-ever state championships, the fact we nearly had an 100 percent improvement rate is simply phenomenal. I could not have asked for more from these swimmers.”
