Saipan Tribune

Wednesday, June 19, 2013

Tuesday, October 09, 2012

Tsunami Saipan swimmers update PBTs

Tsunami Swimming Center Saipan's developmental pool had a fruitful campaign at the start of the 2012-2013 season.

Tsunami Saipan coach Hiro Kimura said majority of his swimmers posted personal best times, while the rookies on the club also had an impressive showing during the Northern Marianas Swimming Federation-organized meet at the Kan Pacific Swimming Pool in Marpi late last month.

Lalaine and Jzl Santomin, Hans Xu, and Sophia Gauran had their first 50m long course event during the meet. Juhn Tenorio, Kenshiro Yanai, and Aika Watanabe had already experienced the long course event and have updated their best time at all three events, marking some BB times,” Kimura said.

Lalaine Santomin joined the 50m breaststroke (1:12.14) and 50m backstroke (55.31 seconds), and 50m freestyle (44.73 seconds) events, earning C times in all races. The A to C times are US swimming time progression with the highest set at AAAA. Lalaine's younger sister, Jzl also raced in the 50m breaststroke (1:17.80/C), 50m backstroke (59.46 seconds/C) 50m freestyle (55.11 seconds/C).

The 6-year-old Xu had the same three events, timing in at 1:00:75 (C) in the 50m freestyle, 1:06.64 (C) in the 50m backstroke, and 1:18.61 (C) in the 50m breaststroke. Gauran competed in only two events, submitting 1:13:43 in the 50m breaststroke and 1:03.81 in the 50m freestyle.

Yanai made his BB time in the 50m freestyle (43.71 seconds), while Tenorio and Watanabe had B times, 47.12 seconds and 48.38 seconds, respectively, in the same event. Tenorio also marked a BB time in the 50m backstroke after clocking in at 55.32 seconds.

Meanwhile, Kimura also congratulated returning Tsunami Saipan swimmers for their notable performance in the season-opening meet.

“Daime Rivera, Yuuki Nishida, Kyona Rivera, and Patrick Reyes didn't come to all practice sessions last season because of their school commitment and others. However, they returned to the pool this summer and marked best times at the meet. Kyona's 38.34 seconds (BB) in the 50m freestyle was amazing. She did really well,” Kimura said.

“The next local swim meet will be on Nov. 3 or 10. I wish more swimmers will be able to debut in the 50m long course meet. Also, I wish Tsunami Saipan swimmers will reach their target next month. We need to practice harder,” he added.