Latest article from the last MAGSA meet.

AGE GROUP SWIMMING

The Molokai Swim Team age group swimmers sent four swimmers to the first meet of the short course season. Lenn and Loni Yonemura and Leoho'onani and Mahinameli Reyes began their attempts to qualify for the state championships in March, 1997 at the Lahaina Aquatics Complex. The meet was originally scheduled at the War Memorial Pool but repairs to the pool have not been completed. That forced the movement of the meet to Lahaina.

Lenn Yonemura qualified for two events at the state championships but those times were not good enough to qualify him when he ages up in mid-February to the 15-16 age group. He finished fourth in both the 100 Yd Free and 200 Yd Breaststroke events. He is just over a second short of attaining qualifying times in the next age group for both events. Lenn finished fifth in the 100 Yd Backstroke and fourth in the 200 Yd Individual Medley events but has some work to do in qualify in those events. All of Lenn's times showed considerable improvement from last season.

Loni Yonemura is in her final season in the 11-12 age group. She attained qualifying times in the 100 Yd Freestyle (3rd), 100 Yd Backstroke (3rd), and 200 Yd Individual Medley (2nd) events. Loni finished 8th in the 50 Yd Breaststroke dropping three seconds from her previous time but is just short of qualifying in that even and is credited with a National "B" time. All of Loni's times better her previous best attempts.

Leoho'onani Reyes will also age up to the 11-12 age group just before the state championships. She qualified in the 100 Yd Freestyle (3rd), the 50 Yd Breaststroke (1), and the 200 Yd Invidual Medley (4th) and earned a "B" time in the 100 Yd Backstroke (6th) in her current age group. While her times in the other events are close to qualifying in the 11-12 age group, her breaststroke time already meets the higher standards.

Mahinameli Reyes is also competing in a higher age group. After dominating the 8 & under group for the past season, the 8-year old is beginning competition in the 10 & under group where her times can qualify for the state championships. Mahina earned a "B" time in the 100 Yd Freestyle (12th) and the 50 Yd Breaststroke (9th). She placed 10th in the 100 Yd backstroke. In her only 8 & under event, she swam the 25 Yd Butterfly and easily won that event.

The age group swimmers continue workouts six days a week.