SSC International Meet draws over 100

Saipan Swim Club ‘s David Boyer races in the 100m butterfly event in last month’s 2017 SSC International Meet held at the Kan Pacific Swimming Pool. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

The turnout in last month’s 2017 Saipan Swim Club International Meet held at the Kan Pacific Swimming Pool surpassed the century mark.

Bulk of the participants came from host SSC and Tsunami Swimming Center Saipan, which entered 29 and 37 swimmers in the tournament held from March 23 to 25. Guam’s Manhoben Swim Club and Manukai Athletic Club had 10 each, and Andersen Marlins fielded one. Palau and Pohnpei also joined the three-day swim meet and sent eight and four athletes, respectively.

“We were happy to welcome back Manhoben, Manukai, and Anderson Marlins after a two-year hiatus. It was nice to have them here as they added more texture to the meet and it is always more fun for the swimmers to swim against friends,” SSC head coach Jacoby Winkfield said.

“We were thankful for Palau and Ponphei’s commitment to coming to the international meet again this year and seeing the growth and maturation of their swimmers both in and out of the water. Tsunami Saipan has been a staple competitor and we thank them for their participation and congratulate them on a great showing,” he added.

As for SSC swimmers, Winkfield acknowledged Jinnosuke Suzuki for setting four age group records in the boys 11 to 12 division. He also took note of the several personal best times SSC swimmers achieved.

“All swimmers boasted at least 80 percent personal best times and the remaining swimmers were perfect in terms of personal best times. This is a testament to the hard work and dedication that they show in the pool every day. It also says volumes about the support that they get from home. Swimming is a fun sport, but is very demanding and often times cruel. Cruel in the sense that you cannot rely on others for help, your performance is a reflection of your attitude and effort,” the SSC coach explained.

“Overall the swim weekend was a great success. SSC swimmers represented themselves, their team, their island, and their sport well. Now back to training to finish off the season strong,” he added.

The club will have three more events this season. First up is the Escape from Managaha on April 14, while the Sak Sprint Meet, which is held in recognition of Saipan Swim Club founders Bill and Jean Sakovich, is set for April 29. For its final tournament, SSC swimmers will head to Hawaii to compete in the 69th Keo Nakama Swim Meet that will be held on July 4 weekend.

Meanwhile, SSC would like to thank the following for making the international meet and the ocean swim possible: the swimmers’ parents, timers, Naked Fish, Marianas High School students, Marianas Visitors Authority, and Department of Public Safety, Boating Safety.