LIHU‘E — Swim Kaua‘i Aquatics finished with a solid fifth place at the 2021 Hawai‘i 21st Annual Bill Smith Invitational swim meet that contested on Oct. 23 and 24 on O‘ahu, presented by the Kamehameha Swim Club.
Competing with just a dozen swimmers, SKA finished with 305 points at the “AA” Invitational meet that was won by host Kamehameha Swim Club that piled up 2,019.5 points followed by the ‘Iolani Swim Club at 645.5 points.
“We were small but mighty,” said SKA coach Curt Colby in a release. “Thank you, parents, for your support of your swimmers.”
Addy Mottley, 10, led the SKA showing with a perfect meet, capturing wins in eight of the eight events she swam.
“She was ranked Top 10 in Hawaiian Swimming for all her races,” Colby said. “Her most exciting races were the 100 Butterfly (1 minute, 13.85 seconds) which was a 9-second drop from her previous best, and the 200 Freestyle (2:20.81) that was a 5-second drop.”
Addy finished the meet with 72 points, five digits better than Rahlee Davis of the KSC who ended with 67 points.
“Kohlton Sanchez, 12, was next in line for points for SKA,” Colby said. “He placed third for high points for the 11-12 Boys with three first plaes, two second-place finishes, and five third places. His two best races, both wins, were the 100 Breaststroke (1:06.45), and the 100 Backstroke (1:04.45).”
Max Mottley, 9, finished fourth in 10 Under Men scoring with 44 points, two points better than Johnny Maciel of Aulea Swim Club. Max’s personal top event was the 100 Butterfly (1:15.63) where he took a 6-second drop to win the event he was seeded second.
“Max’s brother, Kai, 16, achieved third High Point for the 15-16 Boys with his swims,” Colby said. “His 1:51.12 in the 200 Butterfly ranks seventh in the nation for 15-16 Boys for this current season. He is also just tenths of a second off the Junior Nation cut that is key for college recruiting for next year. Their dad, Coach Chris, was a college swimmer for American University with Junior National cuts — quite a swimming family!”
“Tyler Tanaka, 17, scored in all of his races,” Colby said. “His most notable race was the 200 Breaststroke (2:07.19) where he achieved a more than 4-second drop. This time ranks him 22nd in the nation for this season in his age group. Both Kai and Tyler are hoping to swim in college, next year.”
Liam Juvan, 12, swam just four events, but earned Top 10 times in all four events, his best showing coming with a third place finish in the 100 Freestyle (56.75).
Evan Strong, 11, earned two new State Qualifying times in the 100 Freestyle (1:03.55), and the 50 Freestyle (28.05).
“Sean Lottermoser, 10, earned state cuts in the 100 Freestyle (1:15.27) and the 200 Freestyle (2:41.57),” Colby said. “He also got fourth place in the 50 Freestyle (31.65) that places him in the Top 10 times for that event in Hawaiian Swimming.”
“Daniel Simpson and Kamaira Silva, both 16, had good performances in their events,” the SKA coach said. “Daniel’s best event was the 100 Breaststroke (1:10.93) where he dropped six seconds. Kamaira dropped time in her 100 Backstroke (1:07.03) and was close in the other events. She is currently a double sport athlete since she is running cross country for the Kaua‘i High School girls as well.”
Swim Kaua‘i Aquatics next hosts a home swim meet, Saturday at the YMCA Pool before heading to the Senior Championships on O‘ahu, Nov. 19 through 21.
