LIHUE — Chloe Inouye finished with six first-place finishes in the Girls 11-12 division to lead the Swim Kauai Aquatics group to an overall seventh-place team finish at the Hawaii State Age Group Long Course Championship that wrapped up Sunday in Kihei, Maui.
“SKA was a power-packed crew,” said SKA coach Curt Colby.
The team of 12 swimmers — Chloe Inouye, 12, Talen Koerte, 12, Mahina Dameron, 12, Pulama Kaeo 12, Kai Mottley 14, Kamaira Silva 14, Ian Raquel, 14, Kohlton Sanchez 10, TaiMana Kjeldsen 11, Maddie Hoesel, 17, Ryden Williams 15, and Tyler Tanaka 15 — finished seventh.
Inouye topped the points for SKA, finishing with 136 points, including the six first place finishes.
Inouye was first in multi individual events in freestyle and breaststroke, just missing the Hawaiian record in the 50 breaststroke with her 25.50-second swim, Colby said.
She also anchored the girls 400 freestyle relay team along with Mahina Dameron, Pulama Kaeo, and Taimana Kjeldsen to a big win.
“This was SKA’s first-ever state relay victory in the history of the team,” Colby said. “Every swimmer improved their times, and did their job as a team so that Chloe, on the last leg of the relay, could pass the top teams and inch out a victory. This group of swimmers also collected three additional second place finishes to help with the team points.”
Kamaira Silva, 14, finished with 110.5 points, including being the state champion in the 100 freestyle with a best time of 1 minute, 1.16 seconds.
Mahina Dameron finished a double state champion, taking the 200 butterfly (2:42.84), and the 100 butterfly (1:09.95).
“She was outside smoke in both races, dominating the field,” Colby said.
Talen Koerte was a standout in the Boys 11-12 group, finishing the meet with three third place finishes and two second place finishes for 109 points. All of his swims were best times.
Pulama Kaeo scored in all seven events she swam in with her top finish coming in the 200 freestyle (2:20.76) where she finished second.
Kohlton Sanchez, at 10 years old, was the youngest SKA swimmer, finishing the meet by medaling in the 50 breaststroke (44:80), and the 100 breaststroke (1:39.76).
Kai Mottley, 14, had a standout swim in the 200 butterfly where he touched the wall at 220.50 for third place. He finished the meet with medals in all seven of his swims.
Tyler Tanaka, 15, scored in five events with his top showings coming in the 100 breaststroke (1:11.77) and the 200 breaststroke (2:34.91).
Ian Raquel, 14, was at his first state meet and medaled in the 1,500 freestyle (19:10.07) for a sixth place finish, and the 800 freestyle (10:07.51) for a seventh finish.
Next on the SKA calendar is the North West Zone Champs that contests Aug. 8 in Oregon. Swimming for Team Hawaii are SKA swimmers Chloe Inouy, Pulama Kaeo, Mahina Dameron, Kai Mottley, and Kamaira Silva. Coach Colby is one of the Team Hawaii coaches.
