The Hawaii Swim Club (HSC) captured the championship trophy of the 19th
Annual Harry Mamizuka Manoa Invitatonal Swim Meet over the April 23-25
weekend. HSC swimmers from Maui, Hawaii, Oahu, and Molokai amassed 961
team points to outdistance Punahou Aquatics (852 points) and Aulea Swim
Club (705 points). Seventeen swim teams participated in the meet honoring
the former coach of Manoa Aquatics, Coach Mamizuka. It has become one of
the premier meets of the long course season.

Lenn Yonemura competed in his first invitational meet in the Open divison
(17 years old and up) but despite the rude awakening to the tougher
competition, he managed to score in eight of his nine individual events.
Lenn also teamed with senior national qualifiers Cheyne Bloch, Reece Kaya,
and Caleb Rowe to take second place in the 200 M Freestyle Relay. Lenn's
best finish was a second in the 200 M Breaststroke. He added a fourth in
the 100 M Breaststroke, three sixth place finishes in the 200 M
Backstroke, 200 M Individual Medley, and 400 M Individual Medley, two
seventh place finishes in the 200 M Free and 100 M Backstroke, and an
eighth in the 100 M Free.

Mahinameli Reyes was also busy throughout the meet. Now swimming in the
Girls 11-12 age group, she had nine individual events and a pair of
relays. Of her nine events, she attained state qualifying times in six of
the events and now has a total of eight qualifying times for the state
championships to be held in Hilo in June. Individually, Mahina placed
eighth in the 50 M Breaststroke and her 200 M Freestyle Relay team of
Alicia Gerber, Emalia Suehiro, and Nikoya Collier captured third in the
event.

Ilia Reyes swam in seven individual and two relay events in the Boys 10 &
Under division. Ilia, Liokea Lia, Ian Gerber, and Sho Fujikawa teamed for
third place in the 200 M Medley Relay and second place in the 200 M Free
Relay. Ilia placed fourth in the 50 M Free and seventh in the 50 M
Backstroke events. He attained six state qualifying times and has a total
of seven for the upcoming championships.

Leoho`onani Reyes managed to squeeze one day of competiton into her busy
schedule as the Kamehameha Schools student is currently involved in a lot
of activities. Now competing in the Girls 13-14 divison, she swam in four
individual events and placed sixth in one of her favorites, the 100 M
Breaststroke, where she also earned a state time. Her only relay event
was the 200 M Free Relay and she teamed with Helena Suehiro, Jessica
Bartolome, and Jessica Boyer for eight place.

Loni Yonemura is in her final season in the Girls 13-14 divison. She swam
in seven individual events and two relays. Both relay teams scored as she
teamed with Jessica Boyer, Nicole Spencer, and Helen Suehiro in the 200 M
Medley Relay for third place. She swam with Sara Spidell, Erin Samura,
and Nicole Spencer in the Open division of the 200 M Free Relay and the
mixed age group team managed and eighth place finish.

The swimmers are looking at the home stretch of the season. Two
qualifying meets and one invitational remains before the state
championships. The coaches, parents, and swimmers would like to
acknowledge the support of the Molokai Ranch Foundation who provided a
grant to cover the travel expenses for the swimmers.

Interest continues to run high with the new members of the Molokai Swim
Team. Daily practices are helping them to prepare for their participation
in the Molokai Fun Meet in late July. It is hoped that another
learn-to-swim class will begin in mid-June. Please watch for future
articles on registering for the class.