SSC thanks Kimballs for contributions to swimming

 The CNMI swimming community is losing a pillar in the Kimball family, who will be leaving Saipan early next year after getting involved with the Saipan Swim Club for eight fruitful years.

The Kimballs-husband and wife Dan and Lisa and their children Grace and Andrew-are heading to Indonesia after Dan received a job offer from the south east Asian nation.

“It has been a great experience living on Saipan for eight years. We enjoyed our time here and we wished we could stay, but we can’t as Dan got a job offer from Indonesia,” Lisa said in a telephone interview with Saipan Tribune.

The Kimballs arrived on Saipan from New York in August 2003 after Dan landed a job with the Far East Broadcasting Company. Grace was eight years old then, while Andrew was six and from 2003 to 2011, the Kimball siblings became frequent participants of swimming competitions at the pool and in open water. Grace represented the CNMI in the world championships in China this year and in the 2010 Micronesian Games in Palau, while Andrew also joined last year’s Micro Games. Lisa was in charge of administrative duties with SSC, organizing competitions, and also coached the club’s swimmers, while Dan volunteered as timer and photographer for SSC.

“Lisa was a pillar for the Saipan Swim Club, and when we left, she kept the team going. She did have able assistance, but the organization of events and maintenance of team records are also important, and thanks to Lisa, these are accomplished. She later also played a major role in coaching and development of the younger swimmers,” SSC founder Bill Sakovich.

“SSC will miss them and I wish them well in Indonesia, where I served my Peace Corps service in 1964. I hope Grace and Andrew are able to continue their competitive swimming. I would also like to thank Dan for helping with the Tagaman and XTERRA triathlons for the past several years. Both Lisa and Dan played an important role in promoting many of the islands sporting events. I am wishing the entire family success and happiness in their new assignments in Indonesia,” Sakovich added.

SSC and its members also expressed their gratitude to the Kimballs in a press statement sent to Saipan Tribune.

“Farewell, thank you, domo arigato and si yu’us ma’ase to Lisa and her family. Her efforts and contributions to the Saipan Swim Club have been paramount. Her fellowship and guidance with SSC will be missed. Her children, Andrew and Grace will also be missed. They have been model swim ambassadors for the CNMI,” the statement said.’

“It is such a bummer that this great family is leaving Saipan. SSC is losing two of its best swimmers who have worked very hard over the years to excel. Lisa has dedicated many hours to the SSC. You would often see her during the hot noon hours teaching an adult to swim and then she would return in the middle of the afternoon to coach the little children. Saipan is losing a wonderful family who has volunteered so much to the athletic community on the island. I wish them luck in their new adventure,” SSC masters swimmer Suzy Kindel said.

With Lisa vacating a coach post on SSC, pro triathlete Mieko Carey will return to the club as assistant coach, while CNMI Hall of Famer Mike Villagomez will remain as the head coach. Twenty-year SSC member Gary Guzman will also coach for SSC and will be in charge of intermediate level swimmers.