LIHU‘E — Twenty of Kaua‘i’s swimmers ranging from age 9 through 17 will be heading to O‘ahu to compete in the 4th Annual Bill Smith Invitational Swim Meet. The meet named after one of Hawai‘i’s Olympians will be held at
LIHU‘E — Twenty of Kaua‘i’s swimmers ranging from age 9 through 17 will be heading to O‘ahu to compete in the 4th Annual Bill Smith Invitational Swim Meet.
The meet named after one of Hawai‘i’s Olympians will be held at the Kamehameha Schools Pool on Oct. 25-26.
Coach Orlando “O” Anaya of the Mokihana Aquatics swimming program here noted that this meet is one of the larger meets in the state, and the Mokihana swimmers heading for this competition have been working hard preparing for the competition.
While work has been taking place at their normal workout pool at Kaua‘i High School, special accommodations were worked out with Kapa‘a Pool so swimmers could work out there in preparation for the meet, Coach “O” explained.
Matthew Holzman is the sole 9-year-old from Kaua‘i and will be participating in four events – the 10 & Under 50 Breast, 100 Free, 50 Free, and 100 Breast.
Kesia Anaya heads up the group of five 10-year old competitors that includes Chelsea Chock, Sarah Faraola, Kaitlyn Jarry and, JD Needham.
Kelsey O’Conner is the sole 11-year-old who will be competing in the 11-12 50 Fly, 50 Free, and 50 Back.
Amanda Tanner is the sole 12-year-old who will be swimming in the 11-12 50 Fly, 100 Back, 100 Free, 50 Free, and 50 Back.
Tyson Chihara, Kelsey Tanaka, and Randy Umetsu make up the trio of 13-year-olds that are no stranger to state competition, and will use this meet to make their mark in the 13-14 age group.
Kyson Gusukuma and Anaya Keenan have already been seen at the KIF level last year, and will be representing Mokihana at the 14-year age group, Anaya already having established a strong pattern in state competition.
Meaghan Simms is the sole 14-year-old girl from Kaua‘i and will be competing in the 13-14 100 Back, 50 Free, 200 Free, 100 Free, and 100 Fly.
Aaron Ramelb is the sole 15-year-old who will be competing in one of his first state level programs, competing in the Male 15-16 200 IM, 50 Free, 200 Free, 100 Free, 100 Fly, and 100 Breast.
Ramelb’s progress in the community program pleases Coach Anaya who is quick to note the degree of progress achieved by his newcomer.
Torrey Ikeda joins Ramelb in the 15-year-old group, and will be competing in the 15-16 200 Breast, 200 IM, 100 Free, and 100 Breast.
Katelyn Umetsu, 16, will be competing in the 15-16 age group in the 200 fly, 200 Breast, 200 IM, 100 Back, 50 Free, 200 Free, 200 Back, 100 Free, 100 Fly, and 100 Breast while Stephanie Perius, also 16, will be competing in the 100 Back, 100 Free, 15-16 50 Free, and 200 Back.
Kai Perry, 16, will be competing in the Male 15-16 200 Fly, 200 Breast, 200 IM, 100 Back, 50 Free, 200 Free, 200 Back, 100 Free, 100 Fly, and 100 Breast.
Jason Ebesu is the only 17-year-old who will be competing in the Male 100 Back, 50 Free, 200 Breast, 200 IM, 100 Fly, 100 Breast, 200 Free, and 100 Free.
Mokihara Aquatics will also field relay teams in the Female 10 & Under 200 Free, Female 200 Free, Male 200 Free, Male 13-14 200 Free, Female 10 & Under 200 Medley, Male 200 Medley, and Male 13-14 200 Medley.
The group will be leaving Kaua‘i on Saturday morning for their competition, and will return Sunday night following the second day of competition.
