The Kona Dolphins Swim Club was one of 106 teams to attend the North West Age Group Regionals in Federal Way, Washington over the weekend.
The regionals are a qualifying meet for some of the fastest 14-and-under athletes in the western zone of the United States.
X Rose along, with Ana Rose, Bella Shurley and Ethan Ng represented the Kona Dolphins with head coach Joyce Follis at this event, bringing the team to an impressive 26th place finish despite being outnumbered by many of the teams in attendance.
“There were recruiters at this meet watching for the next generation of college athletes,” said Follis. “These big meets on the mainland mean the difference of scholarships and higher education for these kids who work so hard everyday and may not have the opportunity otherwise.”
X Rose had a clean sweep, winning first place in all six of his events and setting four new NWAG Regionals records for the 11-year-old boy division.
He placed first and broke the record in the 50 freestyle with a time of 24.02 seconds, and then followed that up with records in the 100 freestyle (53.21), 50 breaststroke (30.46) and 100 individual medley (59.87).
X Rose also placed first in 100 breaststroke (1:08.07) and 200 IM (2:13.13).
Ana Rose placed fifth in the 100 breaststroke, sixth in 50 free, 100 free, 50 breaststroke and 100 butterfly, and ninth in 50 butterfly, while competing in the 10-and-under girls division.
Swimming in the 10-and-under boys division, Ethan Ng finished eighth in the 100 freestyle, ninth in 50 butterfly and 100 butterfly, 10th in 50 free, 13th in 100 backstroke, and 20th in 200 freestyle.
Bella Shurley placed 16th in the 100 butterfly, 19th in the 1650 freestyle, 26th in the 200 backstroke, 26th in the 200 butterfly, and 31st in the 100 backstroke, while competing in the 13-year-old girl division.
Hawaii several teams competing in the meet including with many top finishers from Hawaii Island Swim Club, Hilo Aquatics, Aulea Swim Club, Aloha Aquatics Association, Hawaii Swim Club, Splash Aquatics, and Pearl City Aquatics.
It was a unique situation leading up to the regionals for the Dolphins, with their home pool — Kona Community Aquatic Center — shut down. However, the Dolphins club credited the community for helping the swimmers get in some valuable pool time to stay sharp before the meet.
“We’re so grateful that the community helped us to keep them training when KCAC shut down for repairs and we are incredibly grateful for the support of the kids from the KCAC staff,” Follis said. “We can’t imagine how hard this whole thing has been and whenever I talk to the lifeguards they always ask about the kids and send their constant support.”