There were no ribbons, but Kamalani Brun, an 11-year-old swimmer from the Mokihana Aquatics program, had reason to be proud following the recent Sparky’s Fun Meet on the Big Island. Brun was one of the 19 Mokihana swimmers who shaved
There were no ribbons, but Kamalani Brun, an 11-year-old swimmer from the Mokihana Aquatics program, had reason to be proud following the recent Sparky’s Fun Meet on the Big Island.
Brun was one of the 19 Mokihana swimmers who shaved off 70.10 seconds off her 100 Backstroke event (2:13.57Y). Additionally, Brun trimmed 47.05 seconds off her 100 Freestyle event (1:51.48Y).
“That’s over a minute improvement in that one event,” said Coach Orlando “O” Anaya, obviously pleased with the accomplishments of the Mokihana Aquatics swimmers. “She doesn’t need a ribbon. What she accomplished was absolutely great.”
Brun went on to post improvements in her 50 Breast (55:47Y) and 50 Fly (1:08.42Y) with improvements of 13.07 and 10.05, respectively.
Anaya said among the field of 19 swimmers, two young ladies — Linea Koehler and Leslie Lockyer — were competing in their very first meets.
Koehler competed in six events while Lockyer swam in seven events, posting their first times in those events.
Justin White, 9, and Ryan Valenciano, 12, posted perfect meets, improving in all of the events they competed in during the Fun Meet held over the weekend.
Justin, swimming in six events, had the greatest improvement in his 100 Individual Medley (1:40.14Y) where he shaved 21.94 off his previous time. That performance earned him a HI-A rating in the event.
Valenciano, competing in three events, had his biggest improvement in the 100 IM (1:32.33Y) where he shaved off 8.54 seconds and also earned a HI-A rating.
More experienced Mokihana water sprites also demonstrated their skills by posting improvements in the majority of the events they competed in.
Swimmers who made the trip to the Big Island include Ethan Austin-Elbaz, Lana Bilbo, Brun, Chelsea Chock, Megan Chock, Alyssa Clark, Kelly Culliney, Taylor Haffner, Evan Hamamoto, Amber Hopkins, Koehler, Lockyer, Kyle Riddle, Kaitlin Santos, Valenciano, Makana Waiamau, Danielle White and Justin White.