PAHOA, Hawai‘i — Swim Kaua‘i Aquatics sent a contingent of 18 swimmers to participate in the 2022 Hawaiian Swimming SCY Champs in Pahoa. And, the result is that all of the 18 registered swimmers earned a medal, resulting in SKA earning a fourth-place team trophy at the event which ended on Feb. 27.
“This is the highest finish in the team’s history,” said Coach Curt Colby.”They achieved this by having seven swimmers winning 12 individual events, and all of the 18 swimmers placing and scoring in nearly every entered event.”
Kohlton Sanchez, 12, led the team with four victories in the 100 breaststroke, stopping the clock at 1 minute, 5.71 seconds. Sanchez also racked by victories in the 100 butterfly (1:03.49), the 200 Individual Medley (2:13.73), and the 50 breaststroke (31.14).
“These first-place finishes, plus his other places in other events earned him third place High Point for the 11-12 boys division,” Colby said.
Brandon Lin, 13, walked away with two first-place swims in the 200 backstroke (2:06.62), and the 400 IM (4:25.12).
“These wins, plus his other great races also earned him third place High Point in the 13-14 boys division,” Colby said.
Kai Mottley, 17, a standout in the recent Kaua‘i Interscholastic Federation swim season, also picked up two first finishes in the 100 butterfly (51.70), and the 100 freestyle (48.11).
Tyler Tanaka, 17, a strong swimmer for Kapa‘a High School in the KIF swim season, picked up his first-ever state championship victory in the 200 breaststroke, touching the wall at 2:08.16. Tanaka also finished third place High Point in the 15-18 boys division.
“Evan Strong, 12, in his first-ever state championships, pulled his first place in the 50 freestyle with a 26.47 swim,” Colby said. “In the girls division, we had two state champions, Maiha Kjeldsen, 11, in the 100 freestyle (59.38), and Moana Liddell, 10, in the 200 freestyle (2:20.00). They both scored in multiple other events to help the team to its fourth place, overall standing.”
Other swimming highlights include Sadie Holt, 10, finishing seventh in the 50 freestyle (32.85), Ka‘olu Kaeo, 12, finishing sixth in the 200 breaststroke (3:07.39), Taimana Kjeldsen, 14, finishing third in the 100 breaststroke (1:12.05), and the 200 breaststroke (2:37.46).
“Griffin Lin, at age seven, the youngest swimmer on the state team, finished 12th in the 50 backstroke at 39.07, and the 50 breaststroke at 44.57,” Colby said.
Ryder Lin, 10, finished second in the 100 breaststroke (1:26.17), the 200 IM (2:41.55), and the 50 breaststroke (40.45). Shealee Moises, 11, finished fifth in the 100 butterfly (1:11.27), Addy Mottley, 11, finished second in the 200 backstroke (2:27.43).
Max Mottley, 9, was second in the 100 butterfly (1:15.01), and the 50 butterfly (34.42).
Jacob Rich, 16, finished fifth in the 200 backstroke (2:08.41), Kamaira Silva, 17, finished sixth in the 200 freestyle (2:01.31), and Elizabeth Wallace, 11, finished fourth in the 200 breaststroke (3:05.86).
“It was great to have an opportunity to compete in a state championship meet after having most meets canceled due to the COVID-19,” Colby said. “All of our swimmers had major time drops and competed well against the larger teams from the other islands.”
“Thank you to the Swim Kaua‘i Board, parents, and all of the coaches on our staff,” Colby said. “Just like the swimmers, it is teamwork that has led to the pinnacle of success at the state level.”
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
