SSC swimmers set 114 PBTs

A Saipan Swim Club member races in the 50m freestyle event in the 2016 SSC International Invitational Meet held from March 17 to 19 at the Kan Pacific Swimming Pool.
(Roselyn B. Monroyo)

Saipan Swim Club members made the most out of the three-day competition in the 2016 SSC International Invitational Meet after recording 114 personal best times.

“SSC had a phenomenal meet with numerous personal best times and individual milestones,” SSC head coach Jacoby Winkfield said.

Of the 114 PBTs, the most (24) were registered in the 50m freestyle, while SSC swimmers had 17 PBTs each in the 100m freestyle and 50m backstroke, 11 in the 200m freestyle, eight apiece in the 200m butterfly and 100m backstroke, seven apiece in the 50m and 100m butterfly and 50m and 100m breaststroke, and one in the 400m individual medley.

While Winkfield lauded the entire team’s effort, he also made a special mention to four swimmers—Lennosuke Suzuki, Angel Marie Tan, Kento Akimaru, and Andrei Kaith Lynn Chavez.

“Four age group records were broken, three by Lennosuke Suzuki (100m and 200m freestyle and 200m individual medley) and one by Angel Tan (50m breaststroke). Congratulations to both swimmers on a job well done. Kento Akimaru had a great meet as well. He is a very hard worker and the coaches were not surprised by his success. Kaith Lyn Chavez did surprise the coaches with her 100 meter butterfly,” he said.

Akimaru got PBTs in the 50m and 200m freestyle, 100, butterfly, 100m breaststroke, 100m backstroke, and 200m and 400m IM, while Chavez was the lone female swimmer in the U8 age group to race in the 100m butterfly (2:04.60).

“Overall the coaches were more than happy with the team’s performance. There were a lot of fast times swum, a lot of growth, and a lot of friendships forged. It was a great weekend of swimming,” Winkfield said.

Meanwhile, SSC would like to thank all the participating teams, volunteers, and other supporters of the meet held from March 17 to 19 at the Kan Pacific Swimming Pool.

“SSC would like to thank all the clubs for their participation. Having off-island teams come and compete is key to having a competitive swim meet so we thank the Palau National Swim Team and Pohnpei Swim Team for their participation. We also thank Tsunami Saipan for their continued support of aquatics in the CNMI. Unfortunately, the Kwajalein Swim Club was not able to send participants due to illness, but we look forward to seeing them next year,” the SSC coach said.

“SSC would also like to acknowledge the support of the Marianas Resort for their tireless efforts to give our youth a venue to swim. The Naked Fish for providing a venue for the 37th Saipan Ocean Swim and the DPS Boating Safety. Lastly, we would like to thank the numerous volunteers who assisted in running the swim meet and ocean swim. We have a great group of parents who work tirelessly all season to ensure the meets will run smoothly,” Winkfield added.