SSC swimmers all set for dual meet

Saipan Swim Club will have 13 swimmers ready to plunge into action in a dual meet with Tsunami Swimming Center Saipan this Saturday at the Kan Pacific Swimming Pool in Marpi.

The list includes Andrew and Grace Kimball, Michael Moran, Bryce Daly, Abigail Martinsen, Blair Nicholls, Junior Pamaran, Lester Lapuz, Rena Son, Victoria Chentsova, Kento Akimaru, Selyna Leon Guerrero, and Keanna Villagomez.

This weekend’s tournament is sort of a debut for SSC head coach Michael Blasberg since taking over the coaching chores from Michael Stewart, more than three months ago.

Stewart was still around and helping Blasberg learn the ropes on the team when SSC swimmers were pitted against Tsunami Saipan in a tournament last June.

“I’m very excited to see how the kids perform after a couple months of training,” said Blasberg.

Actually, another SSC coach—Mike Villagomez—will be debuting in the dual meet.

Blasberg said SSC hired Villagomez as co-coach recently to ensure an effective training schedule for SSC swimmers.

“We’re splitting the responsibility so that the schedule is a little more manageable as we both teach full time in addition to coaching,” said Blasberg, who teaches at Marianas High School.

Blasberg is conducting the training sessions for SSC swimmers every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, while Villagomez is in charge every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.

Blasberg said he and Villagomez are expecting new personal best times from their swimmers.

“Mike and I have witnessed how SSC swimmers work hard in practice and it’s time for their hard work to pay off,” Blasberg said.

“They are excited for the chance to race and compete, it’s hard on our island to hold a lot of competitions so the kids really look forward to this kind of tournament. I think the swimmers are just as anxious as I am to see what they can do. Times have consistently been dropping in practices, as we continue to work on stroke efficiency, as well as improving strength and endurance. I know several of our swimmers are hoping to break personal best times from last season, and this is their first chance to do it,” he added.

Meanwhile, Blasberg announced that SSC has a new website: saipanswimclub.com.

He said schedule of events and practices, and other details about the club will be posted on the website.

This Saturday’s dual meet will start at 8am. It will be one of the many meets that SSC and Tsunami Saipan will be holding to provide their swimmers venues to improve their times.

The meet was originally set for last month, but low water level at the Marpi pool due to the rolling power outages forced organizers to reschedule the event.