PUHI — The presence of Swim Kauai Aquatics founders, Coach Ro and Mary Davis, added to the excitement of the SKA summer meet that wrapped up June 8 at the YMCA pool.
Seven swimmers topped the meet with perfect meets, or best times in all of their respective swims.
“While many swimmers train hard with a goal of improving their times, or to have a personal best, a feat of this magnitude takes time, dedication, and a little luck,” said SKA Coach Curt Colby.
Kai Cornejo, 11, dropped 10 seconds across her five events.
“This was also the first time for her to compete in the 50 butterfly,” Colby said. “She touched the wall with a time of 1 minute, 10.98 seconds.”
Newcomer Irene Jones, 10, improved seven seconds in the 50 backstroke (1:13.35), and competed for the first time in the 100 freestyle where she touched the wall at 2:29.35.
TaiMana Kjeldsen, 11, picked up five AA time standards in her perfect meet with her most impressive swim coming in the 200 breaststroke where she touched at 3:03.98 in her first attempt.
“TaiMana is so close in many events that if she keeps up this pace, she will surely be qualifying for future state championships,” Colby said.
Sean Lottermoser, 8, picked up his first HI A time standard in the 25 freestyle (19.12) in his perfect meet, and Teysen Nishida, 15, swimming for Kapaa High School during the Kauai Interscholastic Federation season, dropped seven seconds in his 100 freestyle (1:00.85), and three seconds in the 50 freestyle (26.77).
Chloe Pascual, 8, posted a strong final meet in the age group led by a five-second drop in the 25 breaststroke (25.13).
“Kohlton Sanchez, 10, continues to tear up the pool with five new state cuts in just this meet,” Colby said. “His 200 Individual Medley was seven seconds faster, and he has a new state championship cut.”
Other SKA swimmers making their mark included Mahina Dameron, 12, who did the 1,650 freestyle for the first time and securing a state cut for the 13-14 age group with a 19:03.14 swim.
Pulama Kaeo, 12, posted two outstanding swims, dropping 18 seconds for a HI AAA time standard in the 200 backstroke (2:28.42), and picking up a Zone time in the 500 freestyle (5:29.37).
“Now, she has a shot of making the Hawaii State team to compete in Oregon, this summer,” Colby said.
Tyler Tanaka, 15, posted three new state times in the 200 backstroke (2:16.38), the 100 butterfly (58.41), and the 500 freestyle (5:03.96) that was a 20-second improvement.
“This was a great meet for everyone,” Colby said. “Thank you to parents and coaches for working together to provide such a high quality level of competition for our youth with a very successful outcome.”
Swim Kauai Aquatics next looks at the Senior Championships on Oahu that takes place June 27 and 28, and the Hawaii State Championships on Maui, July 18 through 21.
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
