Alana Cayabyab and Hayley Jay Kaeo led the Swim Kauai Aquatics keiki meet by capturing two AAAA times apiece at the YMCA pool. Cayabyab made her mark in the 400-yard individual medley (5:19.92) where she sliced nearly 23 seconds off
Alana Cayabyab and Hayley Jay Kaeo led the Swim Kauai Aquatics keiki meet by capturing two AAAA times apiece at the YMCA pool.
Cayabyab made her mark in the 400-yard individual medley (5:19.92) where she sliced nearly 23 seconds off her previous swim, and in the 200-yard breaststroke (2:48.54), the first time she attempted that swim.
Kaeo found her marks in the 50 freestyle (26.60) and the 50 butterfly (29.15). She also posted new personal best times in the 50 backstroke, 100 freestyle and the 100 IM for a perfect meet.
The AAAA time standards are new, representing the average 10th best time in an event by age over the past four years, states an SKA release. This is considered a notch above the regular state qualifying time standard which is identified as an AAA achievement.
A total of 29 SKA swimmer combined for 29 new Hawaiian Swimming Time Standards during the keiki meet which was held last Sunday. The meet was held to give the younger swimmers an opportunity to earn new qualifying cuts for the upcoming short course swimming season.
“It was a really strong meet for the start of our 2016 season,” said Curt Colby, SKA head coach. “Many of our younger swimmers tried new event for the first time with great results.”
Trevyn Nishimura, 9, added to his collection of AAA times by qualifying in the 100 IM (1:29.31) and the 200 IM (3:11.05).
Four SKA athletes finished with AA, or invitational, time standards, including Mahina Dameron, 9, who copped a AA swim in the 200 freestyle (2:56.80) on her first attempt in this event.
Julia Safford, 13, finished with a pair of AA swims, one coming in the 200 IM (2:39.90) and the other in the 200 breaststroke (2:51.63), the first time she attempted both these swims. Safford also posted personal best times in the 100 breaststroke and 500 freestyle events.
Talen Koerte, 9, secured an AA time standard in the 100 IM (1:35.77) and added personal best times in the 100 freestyle, the 200 freestyle, and the 100 backstroke.
Lucas McSweeny, 11, rounded out the AA times with a 6:40.02 in the 500 freestyle, his first attempt in this event.
Daisy Asai, 11, Olivia Lutkevich, 12, Olivia McSweeny, 13, Malia Splittstoesser, 13, Tiona Trovato, 12, and Kim Boa Pham, 12, all earned A time standards, showing great improvements in their personal swims and climbing toward the invitational time standards to earn qualification for off-island meets.
Zoey Huntley, 12, Haley Morey-Moen, 13, and Nathan Robert, 8, enjoyed their first swim meet, swimming in both individual and relay events during the Keiki Meet.
“This was a great starting off point for our younger swimmers this season,” Colby said. “This gives us an idea of where we are strong, and where we need to improve. It helps me adjust our training for the season.”
