SSC int’l meet moved to March 23-26

Julia Jinang swims in the 100m freestyle race during the SSC Double Distance Meet held last Saturday at the Kan Pacific Swimming Pool. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

The dates of the Saipan Swim Club International Meet and 38th Saipan Ocean Swim have been changed to March 23 to 25 and March 26, according to SSC head coach Jacoby Winkfield.

Winkfield, in a brief interview with Saipan Tribune last Saturday during the SSC Double Distance Meet at the Kan Pacific Swimming Pool, said changes were made as another international event (Ironman 70.3 Saipan) will be held on March 18. The club’s two competitions were original set to run from March 16 to 19.

Winkfield added that invitations have already been sent out to various off-island clubs and Tsunami Swimming Center Saipan and Dolphin Club. They have until March 15 to confirm their participation.

“The invites were sent to Palau, Marshall Islands, Pohnpei, and Guam. We also invited clubs from Japan and the Philippines. Hopefully, both or either one of them could come,” the SSC head coach added.

The swim meet will start with the 1,500m freestyle event for swimmers in the over 11 age group and those who meet at least the A qualifying time in 200m freestyle. Two more events are set for Day 1 of the competition on March 23—the 200m breast for 11 and over swimmers and 200m fly for all ages.

For Day 2, races will be divided into two sessions. The morning events include 200m backstoke (over 11), 100m free, 50m backstroke, 100m butterfly, 200m mixed medley relay, and 200m freestyle for all ages and 800m free for over 11 (at least holds an A qualifying time in the 200m freestyle). In the afternoon, swimmers will race in the 200m medley relay, 100m breaststroke, 50m butterfly, 50m breaststroke, and 200m freestyle for all ages, 400m free for over 11, and 400m IM for over 13.

In the final day of the swim meet, SSC has lined up five events for all ages—200m IM, 100m backstroke, 50m freestyle, 4x100m freestyle relay, and 4x50m mixed relay.

Each swimmer will get points based on how they finish in the individual events. No points will be given n the relays and the Top 3 finishes in each age group will get high point trophies.

Meanwhile, nearly 60 swimmers from SSC, Tsunami Saipan, and Dolphin Club participated in last weekend’s SSC Double Distance Meet. Members of the three swim groups joined all freestyle races—100m, 1,500m, 400m, 800m, 200m, and 100m relay. Results were unavailable at press time and will be reported once organizers released the official times.