Madeline Hoesel, Nevaeh Ibanez, Kamaira Silva and Tyler Tanaka represented the Mokihana Aquatics at the 35th Harry Mamizuka Invitational long course swim meet at the Manoa Valley District Park on Oahu. While Tanaka swam a perfect meet, claiming improved swims
Madeline Hoesel, Nevaeh Ibanez, Kamaira Silva and Tyler Tanaka represented the Mokihana Aquatics at the 35th Harry Mamizuka Invitational long course swim meet at the Manoa Valley District Park on Oahu.
While Tanaka swam a perfect meet, claiming improved swims in all four of his events that wrapped up Sunday, Silva finished with improved swims in three of her four events. Hoesel improved in seven of her eight events.
Mokihana Aquatics coach Orlando “O” Anaya broke tradition.
“Our Mokihana Swimmer of the Meet is actually not a swimmer,” Anaya said. “I have decided that for the very first time in our 33-year history, it is the parents who went to the Mamizuka meet. Congratulations to Marween Ibanez, Glenn and Doreen Tanaka, Ira and Maile Silva, and Chris and Missy Hoesel. You guys rock!”
Anaya said this does not take away from the swimmers’ performances.
“Tyler swimming a perfect meet in his first long course invitational meet,” Anaya said. “Maddie and Kamaira were also first-timers in long course, and Nevaeh uses her experience to further her goals and to finish by picking up a state qualifying time standard in the 100 breaststroke, her favorite stroke.”
Tanaka, 10, bested his seeded swim in the 200 freestyle where he touched at 3:16.79 in the finals for an improvement of 4.69 seconds and a HIAA time standard. Tanaka secured three HIAA times and one HIA time standard in the 200 individual medley event where he touched at 3:57.20 for an improvement of .84 second.
Silva, 10, entering the long course for the first time, showed her best swim in the 200 freestyle where she touched the wall at 3:06.57 for an improvement of 11.65 seconds and a HIAA time standard. She also finished with three HIAA times in four events.
Hoesel, 12, also punched through on the 200 freestyle, touching the wall at 2:42.12 for an improvement of 2.76 seconds. She also finished with a 1:12.77 swim in the 100 freestyle for a 1.72 second improvement, both earning HIAA time standards.
Ibanez, 10, picked up her qualifying time standard in the 100 breaststroke, touching at 1:47.08 for an improvement of .023 second and the qualifying mark.
“The swimmers were great, but wow, laulau,” Anaya said. “The parents were just outstanding. They made more noise, and were more involved than any other team parents at the meet. What took them over the top was that they did it for each and every Mokihana swimmer.”