Swimmers from Hawaii Preparatory Academy and Waiakea High School continued their dominance in the pool as the two schools combined to win 18 of the 22 events in a BIIF swimming meet Saturday at the Kona Community Aquatic Center.
The the Warriors and Ka Makani came away from the meet with six individual winners, but Hawaii Prep had the top performance by also dominating the relay competition with five victories.
“This was some great swimming and for Ka Makani it is nice to have an opportunity to show how the team has prepared,” said Hawaii Prep coach Mark Noetzel. “We have kids that are swimming for the first time in their careers and they are improving and advancing, and that is exciting.”
Ka Makani’s Katie Jefferson and Frederick Moller swam their way to two individual titles on Saturday. Jefferson finished first in the girls 200-yard IM (2 minutes, 14.28 seconds) and 100-yard backstroke (1:01.90). Moller showed his versatility in both sprint and distance events, placing first in the 200-yard freestyle (1:52.27) and 500-yard free (5:13.33).
Jackson Evans and Michael Duggan also came away with a pair of first place finishes for Hawaii Prep. Evans won the boys 100-yard fly (54.72) and Duggan placed first in the boys 100-yard backstroke (59.02).
In the relay competition, Both Mailie Lawson, a standout at the recent age group championships, Kira Parker and Frida Berglund came away with two wins apiece in the girls races. The team of Parker, Lawson, Janelle Laros and Kyra Hartley won the girls 200-yard medley relay (1:56.57). Berglund, Lawson, Louisa Duggan and Jacqueline Payne placed first in the 200-yard freestyle relay (1:50.91) and the team of Berglund, Parker, Jefferson and Taylor Doherty won the 400-yard free relay (3:43.89).
In the boys’ relays, Andres Colazo Olmos and Matthew Ostrem combined with two other teammates to place first in the 200-yard medley relay (1:54.76) and 400-yard freestyle relay (3:34.63). The duo teamed with Johnny Yoon and Asher Robertson in the medley and Moller and Ryan Cohen in the freestyle.
“We had a number of state qualifying times across the board and I was impressed with the leadership of the seniors and the captains,” Noetzel said. “I am looking forward to the next few meets.”
Leading Waiakea on Saturday was Kelee Shimizu, who won both the girls 200-yard freestyle (1:59.96) and the 100-yard fly (1:01.60). Shimizu was an all-league selection for water polo.
Mina Poppas, a freshman, drew praise for her performance in the 500-yard freestyle, winning in a time of 5:19.06.
“She is a club swimmer and we expect a lot from her,” said Waiakea coach Bill Sakovich. “Every time she swims she drops time and I expect her to do well at States for us.”
Noah Kimura, Felix Peng and Teddy Uekawa also picked up first place finishes for the Warriors. Kimura won the boys 200-yard IM (2:09.17), Peng finished first in the boys 100-yard freestyle (51.69) and Uekawa placed ahead of the field in the boys 100-yard breaststroke (1:04.87).
Peng and Uekawa also teamed with Daniel Kimura and Ben Poppas to win the boys 200-yard freestyle relay in a time of 1:35.54.
“We have been working hard during the holidays and had a very good meet,” Sakovich said. “I know the kids were tired but they came through.”
In the four events not won by Waiakea or Hawaii Prep, both Hilo and Kealakehe came away with two wins each. Hilo’s Shea Tsuha picked up a pair of victories, winning the girls 50-yard freestyle (25.27) and 100-yard freestyle (54.63). For Kealakehe, Joshua Brandt won the boys 50-yard freestyle (22.64) and Ku’ulei Patterson placed first in the girls 100-yard breaststroke (1:11.38).
Big Island schools will travel to Hawaii Prep this Saturday for the HPA Invitational. Swimming events will begin at 10 a.m. and diving events will follow.