SSC members gain top honors

Saipan Swim Club’s Andrei Kaith Lynn Chavez races in the 100m freestyle event during the 2016 SSC International Invitational Meet held last week at the Kan Pacific Swimming Pool. (Contributed Photo)

Five Saipan Swim Club standouts earned first place finishes in the 2016 Saipan Swim Club International Invitational Meet held last week at the Kan Pacific Swimming Pool.

Up-and-comer Andrei Kaith Lynn Chavez led the list of SSC’s high-point awardees after ruling the girls U8 age group, which featured five swimmers. She collected 61 points for a close win against Tsunami Saipan’s Maria Batallones, who recorded 57 points. Savita Sikkel, also of SSC, rounded out the Top 3 after getting 26 markers. The 8-year-old Chavez edged Batallones for the division championship after winning six events and recording a runner-up finish in the 50m freestyle (43.63 seconds). She topped the 100m (1:39.03) and 200m freestyle (3:30.84), 50m backstroke (51.46 seconds), 50m (55.26 seconds) and 100m butterfly (2:04.60), and 200m individual medley (4:38.12).

Duplicating Chavez’s first place finish in the tournament held from March 17 to 19 were fellow SSC members Jinnosuke and Lennosuke Suzuki, Kento Akimaru, and Caleb Wang.

Jinnosuke prevailed in the boys 9 to 10 age group after gathering 74 points. The younger Suzuki won over Tsunami Saipan’s Isaiah Aleksenko and Anthony Camacho-Deleon Guerrero, who had a neck-and-neck battle for the second and third spots after earning 63 and 62 points, respectively.

Lennosuke had a 4-point win over Palau’s Jericho Maido in the boys 11 to 12 age group with the former scoring 77 points versus the latter’s 73. Tsunami Saipan’s Nelson Batallones completed the podium finish after tallying 56 points.

In the 15 to 16 division, Akimaru was the runaway winner as his 81 markers bested the 62 of SSC teammate Christian Villacrusis. Palau’s Keemo Kanai landed at third place after receiving 52 points.

In the 17-and-over division, there were a close fight between Wang and Tsunami Saipan’s Takumi Sugie. Wang ended up finishing ahead of his rival after bagging 66 points. Sugie got 63 and was joined in the Top 3 by SSC’s Salofi Welch, who recorded 56 points.

Meanwhile, Tsunami Saipan had four swimmers ruling their respective age groups, while Palau brought home three first place medals.

Aasish Dangol handed Tsunami Saipan its first high-point award after winning the boys U8 division. He gained 63 points to beat SSC’s Dino Sato and Wataru Kadokura, who posted 51 and 43 markers, respectively.

Aasish’s sister, Ashley, and Nanaka Watanabe gave Tsunami Saipan a 1-2 finish in the girls 9 to 10 age group after tallying 77 and 67 points. SSC’s Jinie Thompson rounded out the Top 3 after recording 40 points.

In the girls 11 to 12, Tsunami also finished in the Top 2 with Sophia Gauran collecting 78 points to edge teammate Aika Watanabe, who had 72 markers. Pohnpei Swim Team’s Kihleng Kestra and SSC’s Coume Kaga were tied for third after getting 46 points each.

In the girls 13 to 14, Miku Tammy smoked her competition after registering 81 points. She won over SSC’s Jinju Thompson (58 points) and fellow Tsunami Saipan swimmer Kathrine Illahi (21 points).

For the Palau side, the visitors had a 1-2 finish in the boys 13 to 14 with Noel Keane ruling the division after posting 79 points against the 75 of his teammate Malcolm Shae Gaymann. Tsunami Saipan’s Mark Maestro settled for the third place honors with his 64 points.

Roylin Akiwo and Osisang Chilton gave Palau the two other first place medals with the former topping the 15 to 16 age group. Chilton, on the other hand, nipped Dirngulbai Misech for the top honors in the 17-and-over division, 73-72, while Tsunami Saipan’s Angel De Jesus was ranked third after logging 67 points.