More than 130 swimmers from Canada, Oahu, Oregon and Kauai swam at the annual Kauai Classic swim meet hosted by Swim Kauai Aquatics. “It is a pleasure to host swimmers from Oahu as well as our good friends at Killarney
More than 130 swimmers from Canada, Oahu, Oregon and Kauai swam at the annual Kauai Classic swim meet hosted by Swim Kauai Aquatics.
“It is a pleasure to host swimmers from Oahu as well as our good friends at Killarney Swim Club from Calgary, Canada, who come to train with us every other year,” said SKA coach Curt Colby. “They bring their senior level swimmers, 24 top high school kids to train with us and following training, compete in our Kauai Classic. They are used to swimming in meters so the yards format is a fun challenge for the group.”
During the two-day meet which featured swimmers from 5 to 18 years old, SKA also welcomed the Kauai Special Olympics swimmers who were trying to earn their state qualifying times who enjoyed their Special Olympics event during the lunch break when all of the swimmers, coaches, and spectators were able to cheer on the Special Olympics athletes.
Host SKA, finishing with 24 swimmers qualified for the state championship meet in July on Maui earned 1,411 to win its Classic over Aulea Swim Club of Oahu who finished at 1,262 points, and the Killarney Swim Club collecting 1,134 points. The Kamehameha Swim Club, Oregon Community Swim Club and the Hawaii Swim Club of Oahu also pointed in the meet.
“Swim Kauai Aquatics is very pleased with its swimmers’ efforts, both in the water and in our ‘dryland’ training with yoga and fitness work,” Colby said. “A huge mahalo goes out to the parents, officials and coaches who put on a successful and flawless meet for the kids.”
Among the field of 24 SKA swimmers making state qualifying marks, Pulama Kaeo, 10, finishing with a perfect meet, picked up her first-ever state cuts in the 100-yard Individual Medley (1:25.04), and the 50-yard backstroke (39.98) to join her older sister, Hayley, 13, on the SKA state team.
Micah Vallance, 10, picked up his first-ever state standard in the 200-yard freestyle (2:43.03) to join his older brother Isaac, 14, on the team while picked up seven new personal best swims over the two days. Isaac added to his state portfolio with three new cuts coming in the 100-yard backstroke (1:07.04), the 1,650-yard freestyle (19:15.90) and the 200-yard IM (2:19.83).
Lucas McSweeney, 12, and Xaveria Rodriguez, 14, also added state time standards to their collection, McSweeney adding the 200-yard freestyle (2:19.86), 100-yard IM (1:14.85) and 200-yard IM (1:07.84) in his perfect meet where he improved in all of his swims.
Rodriguez added state time cuts in the 100-yard backstroke (1:07.84), 100-yard butterfly (1:05.55) and the 1,650-yard freestyle (19:49.22).
Mahina Dameron, 10, and Kai Motley, 12, also pocketed state cuts. Dameron, who finished with seven of eight best times, saw the state mark in the 50-yard backstroke (38/46), the 100-yard backstroke (1:24.00). Motley’s state cuts, scattered among her six best times, emerged in the 100-yard freestyle (1:03.00), and the 100-yard butterfly (1:12.63).
Neveah Ibanez, 12, and Trevyn Nishimura, 11, also finished with state cuts, Ibanez getting success in the 100-yard IM (1:12.61), and Nishimura finding his mark in the 500-yard freestyle (6:15.79).
Among the field of athletes, SKA welcomed four new swimmers — Kamaira Silva, 12, who dropped times in five of her events, and the Adams ohana, including Eli, 10, Silas, 8, and Moses, 7. Eli finished the meet with six new HI-AA invitational time standards, Silas saw improvements in four event, and Moses laid claim to improvements in two events.
Dutch Fairbanks, 16, claimed a new HI-AA cut in the 200-yard backstroke, Ben Paulson, 15, claimed his new HI-AA cut in the 200-yard breaststroke, and Saide Stearns, 14, earned HI-AA swims in the 100-yard butterfly and the 200-yard IM.
Zach Safford, 17, set a new team record in the 200-yard breaststroke (2:10.97) for a HI-AAAA time standard. He was joined by Chloe Inouye, 10, Ibanez, 12, T Koerte, 10, Akira Williams, 15, and Jack Machorek in picking up HI-AAAA time cuts.
Maiha, 6, and TaiMana, 9, Kjedlsen and Dorothy Lee, 10, posted perfect meets with improvements in all of their swims.
Swim Kauai Aquatics has year-round open registration. Interested swimmers are welcome to stop by the YMCA pool to see the team and meet its coaches.
