Jack Machorek earned his first state championship title and led the charge for the 10 athletes representing Swim Kauai Aquatics at the Hawaiian Swimming Age Group Championship Meet last weekend. More than 350 swimmers competed over the course of the
Jack Machorek earned his first state championship title and led the charge for the 10 athletes representing Swim Kauai Aquatics at the Hawaiian Swimming Age Group Championship Meet last weekend. More than 350 swimmers competed over the course of the four-day meet at the Veteran’s Memorial Aquatic Center in Waipio.
Machorek, 14, earned his title for his commanding performance in the boys 13-14 200-meter individual medley event. Machorek stopped the clocks at 2:20.31, more than 3 seconds ahead of his nearest competitor and chopped more than 10 seconds off his seeded time to clinch. Machorek also earned second-place finishes in the 400-meter individual medley (5:02.32), 400-meter freestyle (4:28.84) and the 800-meter freestyle (9:07.91), which was a sectional time qualifying him for his first national meet in Federal Way, Washington, next spring. He pocketed third place for his time of 2:05.46 in the 200-meter freestyle, fourth place in the 200-meter butterfly (2:22.58) and sixth place in the 100-meter butterfly (1:04.83).
“We had exceptional swims by all” said head coach Richard “Doc” Ludemann. “It was a great performance by Jack in his 800-meter freestyle and in winning his first state title. Diligence, hard work and adapting to change were the keys to SKA’s performance at state champs this year.”
Saber Fairbanks, 17, secured third place in the boys 17-18 division in the 1,500-meter freestyle with a time of 18.35.62. He also placed ninth in the 400-meter freestyle (4:42.67) and 10th in his 200-meter breaststroke (2:53.21).
Henry Scherer, 14, garnered his first medals with strong swims in both the mile (19:20.49) and the 800-meter freestyle (9:59.38), placing him eighth in the boys 13-14 for both events. He also broke the 5-minute mark in the 400-meter freestyle (4:57.55).
Ava Wagner, 16, and Riley Young, 17, both showed their skills in the 200-meter breaststroke event. Wagner picked up a sixth-place medal, touching the wall in 2:55.46. Young placed fifth in his age division (2:43.90). Both had strong 100-meter breaststroke swims as well — 1:24.90 and 1:10.54, respectively.
Malia Splittstoesser, 12, and Hayley Jay Kaeo, 12, both succeeded in their goals of becoming a medalist. Splittstoesser sliced 46 seconds off her seeded time in the 400-meter freestyle to clinch eighth place with her time of 5:13.16. Kaeo touched the wall in 1:18.23 in the 100-meter butterfly, nearly 3 seconds faster than her seeded entry time.
Alana Cayabyab, 12, competed in eight events over the course of the meet. She placed 11th in the 100-meter butterfly (1:19.68) and 12th in the 200-meter individual medley (2:49.74).
Dutch Fairbanks, 14, competed in four events and improved in the 400-meter freestyle event with a time of 5:03.31, more than 30 seconds better than his entry time.
Xaveria Rodriuez, 13, sprinted her way to a new personal best in the 50-meter freestyle event, coming in at 30.02 to place 16th overall.
Swim Kauai Aquatics will take a break and pick back up Aug. 17 at the YMCA pool facility.
