45 swim nearly a mile for SSC challenge

While just fewer than 150 swimmers of all ages and ability took the plunge during Sunday’s 28th Annual Saipan International Ocean Swim, 45 opted to test the waters in the Saipan Lagoon by taking the Saipan Swim Club’s 1.3-kilometer course.

The pack of swimmers took off like a shot when SSC head coach Michael Stewart sounded the horn, and after the initial splash down they headed through the large orange buoys and proceeded out into the open water and around both of the World War II-era Sherman Tanks and back to the beach behind the World Resort.

Of the nearly 50 swimmers who made the lap, none was faster than 12-year-old speedster Tasi Limtiaco of the Tarakito Swim Team, who completed the circuit in 18:21, just four seconds ahead of Kelley Moodie (18:25) of the International Buccaneers. The duo took the top two slots in the boys 11-12 Division followed by third place finisher Seiju Nakayama (19:25) and a pack of six others.

Meari Ema of the Tarakito topped the girls’ side with a time of 24:05, nearly a minute ahead of second place finisher Victoria Bay (25:00) of the Guam Typhoons. Tatiana Calvo (28:19) and Keanna Villagomez (29:06) represented the SSC well to round out the division.

The older swimmers performed like champs as well, as 32 participants in their respective masters divisions raced around the relics leaving a trail of bubble in their wakes. Tomoyuki Kubota of Japan’s KFC took the top time in the 20-29-year-old division when he reached the beach in 21:42, followed by Taju Nakada (28:04), and the Saipan Tribune’s Shan Seman (41:03).

It was later noted that local product Robert Jordan was the swiftest veteran on the course when the former SSC stud crossed the finish line fourth overall in 19:25, but his injury-plagued effort over the weekend was a far cry from his 2003 record time of 17:24.

Niña Rivera of the Saipan Masters Nadadores bagged the first finish for the ladies when she hit the sand in 32:15 followed by Jesi Pratt (32:25), Sheilla Torreri (34:00), and Vanessa Palner (48:17).

Another one of the Nads took top billing when Michael Villagomez earned a first place medal in the 30-39 Division with a time of 22:24 ahead of Jason Scofield (23:11) of the Swimkids Buccaneers, Francis Johnson (26:42) of the Guam Typhoons, and fellow Nad Butch Sublemente (29:36).

The Nads were represented well among the women as well as Quamar Schuyler took first place with a time of 26:04—more than a minute before Monica Cordenas (27:14), and five minutes ahead of third place finisher Julie Avery (31:04)of the Swimkids Buccaneers. Local swimmer Norma Ada also finished the feat in 43:41.

Once again the Nads hung tough as Willie Garon finished first among the men’s 40-49 Division with an inspiring 25:25 to best Dominic Tsui (26:28) and Charlie McKee (28:06) of the Swimkids Buccaneers.

Hiromi Kosugi (24:24), Miwako Makishima (25:27), and Fukumi Dohi (26:56) took win, place, and show for the women, but Lady Nads Pamela Thorpe (28:14) and Laila Qudasi (28:18) were joined by Vicki Taitano (26:33) with strong finishes on the local scene.

Only Arsuko Wakabayashi (29:28) and Nadadore Monica Yamaguchi (31:04) attempted the feat in the 50-59 Division, but they came upon the beach atop a momentum based tidal surge.