Over 100 to join SSC international meet

Palau swimmers pose for a photo after practicing at the Kan Pacific Swimming Pool yesterday. The visiting swimmers will compete in the 2018 Saipan Swim Club International Meet this weekend. (Contributed Photo)

The 2018 Saipan Swim Club International Meet will be held this weekend with more than 100 swimmers from Saipan, Guam, Palau, and Pohnpei racing at the Kan Pacific Swimming Pool.

SSC head coach Jacoby Winkfield said Guam will be represented in the March 23 to 24 competition by five clubs—Andersen Marlins, Typhoons Swim Club, Manhoben, Manukai, and Tsunami Guam. Typhoonz will have nine swimmers, Tsunami Guam has seven, while Andersen, Manhoben, and Manukai will field five, four, and three respectively. Palau sent 12 and they arrived on Saipan yesterday, while Pohnpei is bringing in nine. Host SSC has the most entries in the two-day swim meet with 42, while Tsunami Swimming Center Saipan will have 34.

The tournament will start at 11:30am tomorrow with eight events scheduled on Day 1, while the opening ceremony will take place this Saturday at 8:30am. Events lined up for Friday’s session are 1,500m freestyle (11 and over age group), 200m breaststroke and 100m backstroke for 11 and over, and 100m freestyle, 50m backstroke, 100m butterfly, 50m breaststroke, and 200m freestyle relay for all ages.

On Day 2, there will be morning and afternoon sessions. For the first batch of events, swimmers will race in the 800m freestyle, 400m individual medley, 200m butterfly, 100m breaststroke, 50m butterfly, 400m freestyle, and 200m medley relay. In the afternoon session, the events set are 200m freestyle, 200m IM, 100m backstroke, 50m freestyle, and the 4x100m freestyle and 4x50m mixed team relay.

“Swimmers, parents, and coaches alike have worked very hard to put on a stellar meet. We are thankful to the teams that are coming to compete and hope they have a chance to take in the beauty of the island. This meet will feature many firsts and some lasts. For some swimmers this will be their first competitive swim meet and others it will be their last international meet before leaving for college. The public is welcome to come and cheer and support the teams. Admission is free,” Winkfield said.

Meanwhile, after the races at Marpi pool, swimmers will head south to compete in the 39th SSC Ocean Swim that will be held in the lagoon behind Naked Fish in Susupe this Sunday. Registration is still open and SSC is encouraging Tagaman athletes to join the event that could serve as post race recovery swim. To register or for more information, send email to saipanswimclub@gmail.com.