KAPAA — Mokihana Aquatics’ Shealee Moises, 9, came off the wall in a near tie with Hawaii Swim Aquatics’ Christy Phan during the Mokihana Aquatics’ Fun Meet that wrapped up Sunday afternoon at the Kapaa Pool.
Both swimmers in the Girls 10 and Under 100 freestyle event clawed in the home stretch, separated by four lanes that were devoid of challenges, and in the words of Lloyd “Da Moloka‘i Flash” Yonemura, tied in “a race too close to call.”
But in that race judged by volunteers from the East Kauai Lions Club, the Waimea High School JROTC, Kauai High School Key Club, and Mokihana Aquatics’ volunteers, Phan of the Hawaii Swim Club was given the nod, a blink ahead of Moises who stopped the clock at 1 minute, 25.45 seconds.
“Amazing,” said Mokihana Aquatics coach Orlando “O” Anaya who is still collecting his thoughts from the two-day event geared to give young swimmers exposure to “big meets.”
“Our swimmers were fast,” he added.
Moises’ swim in the Girls 10 and Under 100 was 20.66 seconds faster than her seeded time, and one of six improved swims in the nine events she swam during the two days of competition. The swim was her biggest improvement of all her new best times.
All 10 of the Mokihana Aquatics entries finished the two days with personal best times, led by 13-year-old Masao Fontana who marked a perfect meet, or improvements in all of his events. His best showing came in the 200 Individual Medley where he finished third on a touch that stopped the clocks at 2:57.37 for an 18.30 improvement.
Kaya Caycayon-Obrero, 10, posted eight best times of 10 events, three showing double-digit improvements — the 50 butterfly (53.99 for 17.23), the 100 breaststroke (1:00.14 for 23.50), and the 10 and Under 100 freestyle (1:55.87 for 21.11).
Racer Faye, 7, finished with four best times in five events, his strongest showing coming in the 50 backstroke where he touched the wall at 33.25 for a 12.19 second improvement, and Aylwen Fife, 8, showed a 20.11-second improvement in the 10 and Under 100 freestyle (1:51.13).
Mokihana Aquatics has hosted the Fun Meet more than 30 times.
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Dennis Fujimoto can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
