The water at the YMCA in Puhi was cold this past Saturday, but Swim Kauai Aquatics swimmers were hot as 36 out of 50 swimmers achieved best times in their events — six of which achieved “perfect meet” status. “Some
The water at the YMCA in Puhi was cold this past Saturday, but Swim Kauai Aquatics swimmers were hot as 36 out of 50 swimmers achieved best times in their events — six of which achieved “perfect meet” status.
“Some very impressive time drops for early winter swimming,” said SKA coach Curt Colby. “New swimmers are always welcome. It’s a great way to improve your swimming skills before summer and before the Junior Life Guard Program Starts.”
The six “perfect meet” achievers were:
Micah Vallance, 10, who achieved “AA” times in all of his events, dropping his time in the 50-yard backstroke (43.43), the 50-yard freestyle (36.27), the 50-yard butterfly (41.41) and the most impressive was a 26-second improvement in the 200-yard freestyle with a time of 2:51.95.
Kaiao Meyer, 11, improved times in the 50-yard backstroke (45.84), 50-yard breaststroke (59.39), 100-yard freestyle (1:23.71) and the 50-yard freestyle (36.55).
Kiki Nishimura, 6, bested four of her events in the 25-yard breaststroke (44.75), 25-yard butterfly (44.13), 25-yard freestyle (30.47) and the 25-yard backstroke (37.26).
Bradford Thain, 10, bested times in the 50-yard backstroke (1:01.40), 50-yard freestyle (47.54), 50-yard breaststroke (59.02) and had a 25-second drop in the 100-yard freestyle with a time of 1:42.50.
Ahonui Perreira, 8, completed his meet with five best times in the 50-yard backstroke (1:01.89), the 50-yard freestyle (48.95), the 50-yard butterfly (1:14.09), the 50-yard breaststroke (1:07.67) and the 100-yard freestyle (1:56.21).
Nico Rojas, 10, garnered 3 “B” times in the 50-yard backstroke (50.04), 50-yard butterfly (48.85) and the 100-yard freestyle (1:32.95). Rojas also had an “A” time in the 50-yard freestyle (38.36) and a personal best time in the 50-yard breaststroke (1:01.45).
First-time meet swimmers included: Mina Thain, 17, who achieved “B” times in the 100-yard breaststroke (1:34.61) and the 50-yard freestyle (33.78). Henry Whitmore, 7, who placed first in the 25-yard butterfly with a time of 29.96. Lucy Whitmore, 5, who finished fourth in the 25-yard backstroke with a time of 35.44.
Six swimmers with a near perfect meet: Kaolu Kaeo, 7, had three best times in the 25-yard breaststroke (41.04), 25-yard freestyle (26.64) and the 25-yard backstroke (37.58).
Mai Kjeldsen, 6, bested her times in the 25-yard breaststroke (44.25), 25-yard freestyle (26.42) and the 25-yard backstroke (29.26).
Kai Mottley, 12, finished his meet with a new “AAA” cut in the 50-butterfly (31.94), 50-yard freestyle (28.80) and had a 25-second drop in the 200-yard freestyle with a time of 2:29.45, a new “AA” cut.
“T” Perreira, 11, bested times in the 50-yard backstroke (48.28), 50-yard freestyle (36.64), 50-yard butterfly (52.43) and the 50-yard breaststroke (1:01.38).
Isaac Vallance, 14, with best times in the 200-yard backstroke (2:28.02), 50-yard freestyle (26.63) and the 200-yard freestyle (2:06.15), all qualifying “AA” times.
Ryden Williams, 13, completed his meet with best times in the 200-yard backstroke (2:26.07), the 100-yard freestyle (57.59) and the 50-yard freestyle (25.82), all qualified “AA” times.
Rounding off the field of swimmers with best times in two events: Jack Machorek, 16, with two qualifying “AAAA” times and a new SKA record of 16:54.83 in the 1,650-yard freestyle and 2:15.65 in the 200-yard breaststroke. Julia Safford, 14, bested times in the 1,650-yard freestyle with an “AA” time of 20:49.26 and a time of 2:33.65 in the 200-yard individual medley. Sadie Stearns, 13, bested times in the 100-yard butterfly (1:15.72 – “A”) and the 100-yard backstroke (1:11.82 – “AA”).
Ella Carter, 11, bested times in the 50-yard breaststroke (51.31) and the 100-yard freestyle (1:27.89). Ace Cayabyab, 6, achieved an “A” time in the 25-yard breaststroke (26.76) and a “B” time in the 25-yard backstroke (28.62). Mahina Dameron, 10, garnered “AAA” times in the 200-yard freestyle with a seven-second drop (2:28.50) and the 100-yard freestyle with a time of 1:11.20.
Thomas Hennessey, 10, dropped times in the 50-yard backstroke at 51.16, a qualifying “B” time, and the 50-yard breaststroke at 51.00, a qualifying “A” time. Luke Ibanez, 7, bested times in the 25-yard freestyle (22.96) and the 25-yard backstroke (28.43), both qualifying “B” times. Chloe Inouye, 10, had two “AAA” qualifying times in the 50-yard backstroke (36.75) and the 50-yard butterfly (35.51). Jayna Sams, 9 bested times in the 50-yard freestyle (49.02) and the 50-yard butterfly (1:01.64).
Swimmers with a single bested time are: Nick Davies, 16, dropped 15 seconds in the 200-yard freestyle with a time of 2:26.11 for a qualifying “B” time. Keira Hennessey, 9, bested her time in the 50-yard freestyle clocking in at 47.60. Kiana Kaaihue, 11, garnered an “A” qualifying time in the 50-yard backstroke with a time of 38.46.
Tai Kjeldsen, 9, had a 50-yard breaststroke “B” qualifying time of 55.13. “T” Koerte, 10, had a 100-yard backstroke “AAA” qualifying time of 1:20.64. Olivia McSweeney, 14, had a qualifying “B” time in the 50-yard freestyle at 32.98. Xaveria Rodriguez, 14, had a “AA” qualifying time in the 100-yard butterfly at 1:08.61. Lei Sitani, 14, had a qualifying “A” time in the 50-yard freestyle at 31.96. Maddy Thain, 12, bested in the 100-yard freestyle at 1:33.36. Andrew Whitmore, 11, had a bested time in the 50-yard breaststroke with 54.66.
Dan Britzmann has turned over the reins of SKA to Stacie Nishimura after 10 years as club president.
“Thank you Dan for your great leadership and steadfast dedication,” Colby said.
Upcoming meets are sectionals for Jack Machorek, Zach Safford and Akira Williams in Seattle. Northwest Regionals for Chloe Inouye, Xaveria Rodriguez and Hayley Kaeo in Seattle. The Swim Kauai Aquatics Kauai Classic Swim Meet will be in April at the YMCA, welcoming teams from Canada and outer islands.
