Staal breaks two swim marks

Saipan International School’s Kai Staal shattered two records in last weekend’s 2008 All Schools Swimming Championships at the Kan Pacific Swimming Pool in Marpi.

The 14-year-old swimmer timed in at 25.68 seconds in the 50m freestyle of the 200m medley. Staal anchored the SIS Geckos relay team composed of James Kim, Cooper Graf and Sarah Johnson. SIS clocked 2:00.75 to finish second behind Marianas High School (1:56.36).

Staal’s 25.68 seconds broke the 26.23 set by Joshua Taitano in the boys’ 13-14 age group on Dec. 9, 1995.

Staal’s new mark also surpassed the Top 16 Motivational Time in the 2005-2008 U.S. Swimming Time Standards. In the boys’ 13 to 14 age group, the highest time standard (Four As) in the 50m freestyle is 26.79 seconds.

The SIS swimmer is only .43 of a second behind the 2007-2008 Top 10 Times in the 50m freestyle (25.25 seconds) in the boys’ 13 to 14 age group.

A swimmer to post a Top 10 time can be considered in the rankings list, which is published in the Swimming World magazine and each qualifier receives certification from USA Swimming.

Staal posted his second record in the boys’ 13 to 14 100m freestyle, timing in at 57.46 seconds and eclipsing the 13-year-old record of Taitano (Aug. 16, 1995), who clocked 57.86 seconds.

Again, Staal’s new record in the 100m freestyle exceeded the Top 16 standard time, which is 58.29 seconds.

Staal is about three minutes away from the Top 10 standard time of 54.84 seconds.

The SIS swimmer, who also suits up for the Tsunami Swimming Center Saipan, said he had a fruitful 2008 season after breaking several records.

“I am happy that all the hard work I put in during my training is paying off. I hope to continue making records next season,” Staal said.

He added he is excited to compete in two tournaments in Guam before the year ends after his successful performance in the All Schools.

“I and Kensuke (Kimura) will also go to Japan early next year to participate in two tournaments. These are great opportunities to set more records,” Staal said.

Staal led the SIS Junior High School team to its third straight championship. The Geckos earned 104 points to beat Saipan Community (93 points), Grace Christian Academy (30), Whispering Palms (18), Home School (18), and Marianas Baptist Academy (14).