PUHI — Swim Kauai Aquatics hosted its seventh annual Kauai Classic swim meet over the weekend at the YMCA pool facility in Puhi where 87 athletes participated. Punahou Aquatics from Oahu brought over 22 kids to the two-day meet and
PUHI — Swim Kauai Aquatics hosted its seventh annual Kauai Classic swim meet over the weekend at the YMCA pool facility in Puhi where 87 athletes participated.
Punahou Aquatics from Oahu brought over 22 kids to the two-day meet and 3 age-group swimmers from Canada were on island as well.
Over the course of the meet, the swimmers competed in 66 events including a 25 yard freestyle for the 6-and-under group to the long distance events such as the 1,650 yard freestyle for the older keikis.
The young athletes of Swim Kauai combined for 67 new Zone, Qual, AA, and A time standards. Leading the charge was Jack Machorek, 13, who clinched six new state QUAL times this weekend while achieving seven out of eight personal best times.
Machorek started off his meet with a new QUAL in the 100-yard backstroke on Saturday (1:05.34) and continued on to earn QUAL times in the 400 yard individual medley (4:53.63), 100 yard butterfly (1:04.55), 1,650 yard freestyle (19:12.49), 100 yard freestyle (56.90) and the 1,000 yard freestyle (11:27.93).
He also improved his seed time in the 200 yard backstroke and stopped the clocks at 2:20.52.
SKA teammates who also clinched new state QUAL times were Hayley-Jay Kaeo, 10, in the 50 yard backstroke (37.92) and 100 yard freestyle (1:11.18), Bryson Baligad, 16, in the 400 yard individual medley (4:43.45), Kaira Kaaihue, 14, in the 1,650 yard freestyle (19:13.60), Kassy McCoy, 10, in the 50 yard breaststroke (43.35), Zachary Safford, 14, for his 50 yard freestyle (25.78) and Riley Young in the 200 yard individual medley (2:14.08).
Ten-year-olds Kai Norman and Ryden Williams both obtained new Western ZONE times this weekend.
Kai swam the 50 yard freestyle and touched the wall in 31.94 seconds. Williams earned his time in the 100 yard freestyle (1:03.12).
Both boys had successful meets and brought home new personal best times throughout their 8 individual events.
Posting perfect meets with eight new personal best times were Mao Fukada ,12, and Aleya Stearns, 13. Fukada earned a new AA time in the 100 yard breaststroke (1:29.89) and new A times in the 100 yard individual medley and the 50, 100, 200 and 500 yard freestyle events.
Stearns grabbed two new A cuts in the 100 yard backstroke (1:23.77) and 100 yard breaststroke (1:34.59).
“We are so proud of these kids,” said Coach Kathleen Littlefield. “They work so hard everyday at practice and they come out here and try their best. They’re a great bunch of kids.”
Combining for 21 new AA Invitational cuts were Andrew Beeksma, 16, in the 200 yard breaststroke, 100 and 200 yard freestyle, Saber Fairbanks, 15, in the 100 yard freestyle, Asa Hendrickson, 15, in the 500 and 1,650 yard freestyle, Victoria Hinkel, 14, in the 100 and 200 yard backstroke, Kiana Kaaihue, 8, in the 50 yard backstroke, James Pratt, 11, in the 50 yard backstroke, Xaveria Rodriguez, 11, in the 200 yard individual medley, Henry Scherer, 13, in the 200 yard backstroke and 1,000 and 1,650 yard freestyle, Malia Splittstoesser, 11, in the 100, 200 and 500 yard freestyle and Riley Young, 15, in the 100 yard backstroke, 400 yard individual medley and 1,000 yard freestyle.
SKA kids secured 31 new A times this weekend as well.
Those athletes include Tyler Elwin,17, Dutch Fairbanks, 13, S. Fairbanks, Fukada, Emma Hanchett , 9, Adan Hendrickson, 10, Mikayla Holzman, 9, Hoku Hudson, 11, Kiana Kaaihue, Alexa Lauryn, 10, Kirra Leonard, 10, Olivia Lutkevich, 10, Asha McGinnis, 11, Kim Boa Pham, 10, Pratt, Rodriguez, Splittstoesser, Sadie Stearns, 11, and Luna Trevino, 13.
“We are so impressed with the kids dedication to swimming. They are so exciting to watch” said Coach Bridget McCoy.
In addition to welcoming visitors from Oahu and Canada, SKA welcomed several new members to their team.
Chelsy Choy, 10, Hoku Hudson, 11, Alexa Lauryn, 10, Kim Boa Pham, 10, Abigail Polzin, 11, and Nakia Spore, 11, all competed in their first swim meet this weekend.
Swim Kauai swimmers are training for the Mamizuka Invitational meet in Manoa April 26-27. Free tryouts are available. Go to www.swimkauai.com for more information.
