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CNMI swimmers off to Peru
From left, Northern Marianas Swimming Federation president Colin Thompson, Jinie Thompson, Saipan Swim Club and national coach Richard Sikkel and Savita Sikkel as they await their flight to Lima, Peru at the Francisco C. Ada/Saipan International Airport. (CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)
The CNMI national swimming team to the 8th FINA World Junior Swimming Championships in Lima, Peru left Saipan over the weekend.
Saipan International School students Jinie Thompson and Savita Sikkel were accompanied by national coach Richard Sikkel and Northern Marianas Swimming Federation president Colin Thompson for the Aug. 30-Sept. 5 meet.
“Team is in route. Colin was selected to be an Oceania official at the FINA event,” said Richard Sikkel.
The Saipan Swim Club coach Sikkel said Jinie Thompson Savita Sikkel have been training in both the open water and swimming pools weeks before the 8th World Junior Swimming Championships.
“Practicing in both the open water and swimming pools. We are grateful to be able to use Pacific Islands Club Saipan for training twice a week. Personal bests and race experience are the targets. Looking forward to the Peruvian food and sights aside from the swimming,” he said.
Coach Sikkel earlier said this being a World Junior Championships the two NMI swimmers are not limited to a maximum of two events like they are in the World Championships, so Jinie Thompson and Savita Sikkel will both swim five events to maximize their time in the competition pool.
Both NMI swimmers will compete in the 50m and 100m freestyle, 50m and 100m backstroke, and the 50m butterfly.
Jinie Thompson and Savita Sikkel earlier said they’re honored to be representing the CNMI again in the junior world championships.
“It is the first time the CNMI will be present in this event, which makes it that much more special. It is exciting to see how I will do in my events and hopefully personal best times will be made,” said the former.
“I feel honored to represent the CNMI as this is the first time we have gone to the junior world championships. I am aiming to improve my personal bests, gain race experience in general, and represent the CNMI to the best of my ability. In order to accomplish this we have been training and focusing a lot recently in areas that still need improvement,” said the latter.
Originally, Anthony Deleon Guerrero was also selected by the NMSF to travel to Peru, but he had to bow out at the last minute due to previously arranged travel plans.
