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Tsunami Saipan holds time trial
Swimming Center Tsunami Saipan members gather for a group photo after competing in the time trial at the Pacific Islands Club late last month. (Contributed Photo)
Swimming Center Tsunami Saipan kicked off the 2019-2020 season with a time trial at the Pacific Islands Club late last month.
The group held 50-yard freestyle races for team rankings and 25y kick and 25y freestyle events for swimmers in the beginner and fitness classes. Nearly 60 Tsunami Saipan members joined the club’s first official time trial and several of them stood out in the season-opening event.
Kevin Guerrero, Aoi Braxton, and Sari Barman earned A times (standard time progression) in the 50y freestyle after clocking in at 25.9 seconds, 29.8 seconds, and 37.7 seconds, respectively.
“They got better A times. In the team rules, if a swimmer marks AA time, he/she gets the rights to go to off-island meets,” Tsunami Saipan coach Hiro Kimura.
The head coach also took note of the performances of Xans Xu and the new members of the club—Jinnosuke Suzuki and David Boyer. Xu tallied 25.6 seconds in the 50y freestyle, Suzuki submitted 25.4 seconds, and Boyer checked in at 26.3 seconds.
“Our Top 4 until this meet was Juhn (Tenorio), Jinnosuke, David, and Kevin. After this meet, it changed to Juhn, Jinnosuke, Hans, and David. It will be very exciting to see them in the relay race,” Kimura.
The Tsunami Saipan official also acknowledged their members who performed well in the 25y freestyle swim. Eighteen swimmers completed the event without assistance, while eight finished the swim with support.
“Arielle (Matutino) beat many higher class swimmers. Sari (Barman) and Kaito (Rechucher) also swam well. Shana (Barman) is still 6 years old, but she beat higher class and older swimmers,” Kimura said.
Tsunami Saipan members will continue to train at the PIC Saipan pool in preparation for tournaments in Guam and Japan, and possibly, South Korea.
