Kean, teammates break 2 school relay record

Kean Pajarillaga and his teammates broke the Macalester College 400- and 200-yard medley relay records last Nov. 22 and 23 at the Phoenix Fall Classic at the University of Chicago.

The Grace Christian Academy graduate and teammates Thomas Moore, Charles Batsaikhan, and Max Taufen finished 15th in the 400-yard medley relay in the first day of the meet with a time of 3:26.96. More importantly, the time broke the old school record of 3:29.44 set last year.

The next day on Saturday, Pajarillaga, Batsaikhan, Moore, and senior Isaac Kisker broke the school record in the 200-yard medley relay with a time of 1:35.29. The old mark of 1:36.06 was set in 2023.

“I am happy about my achievement. I will dedicate this to my family, my coach both in college and Saipan, and all of my friends that support me. My freshmen year of college is good and swimming at this level is somewhat challenging, different, and fun,” Pajarillaga told Saipan Tribune.

His former and future coach, Hiroyuki Kimura of Tsunami Swimming Center Saipan, couldn’t be happier about Pajarillaga’s latest achievements.

“I’m very happy that Kean is progressing smoothly. He is still a freshman and a rookie who has only been in college swimming for three months. But he was selected for the Chicago trip and had great results. I’m so proud. We are really looking forward to seeing what Kean does in the future,” he said.

Kimura said his former and future ward is also looking forward to donning the CNMI’s colors once again in next year’s Pacific Mini Games.

“He hopes to join the NMI team for the Mini Games next year. We can count some medals from Kean already!”

Pajarillaga’s mother, Susan, meanwhile, said she’s proud about her son’s development in swimming for Macalester College.

“First, I thank God for His favor on Kean and helping him make his dream come true to swim in the collegiate level. I am very proud of my son and how hard he has worked for these accomplishments. Second, I am so happy that Kean is on a team that is breaking records for his school, and in all of his achievements. In his latest swim meet, he broke his personal record in almost all his events. GCA and NMI are always mentioned as the places where he began his journey. Finally, I thank coach Hiro and Yuko (Tsunami Saipan manager Yuko Kimura) for believing in him and being his coach and mentor since the beginning,” she said.

Macalester College is a private liberal arts college in Saint Paul, Minnesota. It competes in the NCAA Division III Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference and are known as the Scots.

Kean Pajarillaga, second from left, and his teammates reset Macalester College’s 400- and 200-yard medley relay records last Nov. 22 and 23 at the Phoenix Fall Classic at the University of Chicago.

-CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Macalester College’s Kean Pajarillaga swims the backstroke during this file photo.

-CONTRIBUTED PHOTO