AGE GROUP SWIMMING - MOLOKAI SWIM MEET
On August 29, the Maui Age Group Swimming Association (MAGSA) and the
Molokai Swim Team hosted the first sanctioned age group swimming meet ever
held on the Friendly Isle. Teams from Maui, Oahu, Hawaii, and Molokai
joined in the fun and competition at the Cooke Pool.
The meet was organized by MAGSA, Allen Shishido, Deputy Director of the
County of Maui Department of Parks and Recreation, Department of Parks and
Recreation-Molokai District, and the Molokai Swim Team who is led by
coaches David Kalani and Lloyd Yonemura.
The meet also drew out some former MHIS Varsity Swimmers. LeeAnn and
Saree Kalani, Kimberly Espiritu, and Sherrie Joao all came to help out at
the meet. LeeAnn, Saree, and Kimberly are also former age group swimmers
and MIL All-Stars. Former age group and high school all-star Michael
Manglicmot was away at college but here in spirit as his family, Maria and
Mike Holmes, came to help out with the meet preparations.
Other MHIS swimmers who are still active also pitched in to help host the
meet. Taryn Ishida, Katy Mokuau, Lauren and Ashley Kikukawa, Abby Kalani,
and Jonathan Joao and newcomer Aukake Manaois pitched in at the concession
and on deck. Espiritu's swimming experience proved valuable as she served
as Head Timer, a critical position in any meet's success. The families of
all of these swimmers were nothing short of outstanding throughout the
meet but especially in working the concession booth and hospitality tables
and in hosting the dinner and program
The meet featured the shortest events in each age division and featured
some sprint events for the older swimmers who would not normally have a
shot at seeing how fast they really were. Lahaina Swim Club was led by
standouts Suyong Kim, Ciara Ganter, and Jessica Nohara while Jennifer
Toba, Erin Haywood, Hogan Orikasa, Daniel Toba, Kristy Yap, Roger
Horikoshi, and Johnathan Matsui paced the Maui Gold Swim Team. Roanne
Chow, Troy Samura, Sara Spidell, and Alicia Gerber, all of HSC-Hilo,
Helena Suehiro, Ailani and Mikiala Miller, Holley Fernandez from
HSC-Kahului, and junior national qualifiers (equivalent to junior olympic
caliber swimmers) Cheyne Bloch, Reece Kaya, Kimberly Kaya, and Caleb Rowe,
also of HSC-Kahului, were all entrants in the meet.
Many of the swimmers had just returned from Federal Way, Washington, the
site of the 1998 Western Zones Long Course Championships. Others were
catching up on jet lag from a trip across the International Dateline to
Japan for an international meet in Tokyo (see accompanying article).
New Molokai Swim Team competitors Ilia Reyes and Pili Keala were able to
begin their careers in the friendly confines of their home pool. Ilia
finished second in all four of his events and enjoyed an excellent start
in competitive swimming.
Pili went head-to-head against some of the best 10 & Under swimmers in the
state and her nerves were tested early when she was disqualified in her
first event. She recovered well in her next four events and now has entry
times in all of her events to form a base on which to improve as the
season progresses.
One of Pili's competitors was teammate Mahinameli Reyes, a veteran of five
years of age group swimming. Mahina won the 50 M Butterfly and placed
second in her other four events. After time conversions from meters to
yards, Mahina should have state qualifying times in all five of her
events.
Stesha Jordan picked up where she left off and swam to a "B" time in her
50 M Free event. As the young season moves on, Stesha is aiming to swim
at states in December.
Jessica Jordan and Naeha Breeland moved up to the 13-14 age group which is
probably the most competitive division in the state. Along with Loni
Yonemura, the pair will tackle some extremely fast qualifying times
throughout the season.
Lenn Yonemura was the final Molokai swimmer to compete in the meet as
teammate Leoho`onani Reyes unfortunately was unable to return from
Kamehameha Schools for the weekend.
The meet was followed by a dinner and program hosted by the Molokai Swim
Team and their families. The program featured dinner music by Pa`a Pono
and skits and talents from the participating teams. The festitives are
not usually a part of any swim meet held throughout the state at any
level. Everyone joined in to dance to the music provided by Oiwi Sounds
to close the evening.
Although their stay on Molokai was brief, over 150 swimmers, parents,
coaches, and family members were thrilled by the warmth and hospitality of
the Friendly Isle Community. The Molokai Swim Team have been asked to
relay the appreciation of the weekend visitors to all of you for your
support and friendship. They were impressed by the hard work put in by so
many to make their stay here a memorable one and now know why Molokai is
number ONE when it comes to hospitality.
Many comments were directed to the hardships faced by all Molokai athletes
as they travel to compete on other islands and how they had developed a
greater respect for the athletes and their families and the coaches.
The Molokai Swim Team thanks all of Molokai for supporting the event,
especially those who gave up their Saturday pool time on a hot, sunny day.
A big thanks to the volunteers, parents, and families who came to support
the team throughout the weekend. Much credit goes to Fred and Louann
Reyes, Buddy and Kathy Keala, Jamie and Gail Jordan, Ehulani Kane, and
Linda Yonemura.
Mahalo to Larry Jefts Farms, Hawaiian Research, Maria Holmes (Molokai
Ranch), Joey Joao, Molokai Youth Center (Joshua Adachi, Volsha Stone,
Brenda Asano), Hawaii National Guard (Sam Makaiwi), friends of Molokai
swimming (Sheldeen & Bob Takeo, Linda Mina, Bill Rhyne), County of Maui
Parks and Recreation-Molokai Division (Zach Helm, Leslie Kanoa, Luana
Alcon), Parks and Recreation staff (Benny Piros, Justin Venenciano, Martin
Ponce, Dwayne Kalilikane, Schano Menelso, and Juanita Cabanting), Cooke
Pool Lifeguards (Kalani Johnston, who also volunteered his time as Meet
Marshall, Lani Caparida, and Clare Pereira), Judy Yamamoto, Molokai High
and Intermediate School (Principal Sarah Kalani, Student Activities
Coordinator Jean Tanaka, and Athletic Director Elden Esmeralda), Oiwi
Sounds, Pa`a Pono, Moana's Bus Service (Moana and Raquel Dudoit), and the
Molokai Princess. We hope we haven't forgotten to acknowledge anyone and
sincerely apologize if we did. So many did so much to help make this
weekend a success for Molokai!
Lloyd M. Yonemura
==Molokai Flash==