SSC lauds top droppers from Fall

While some subscribe to the theory that bigger is better, the swimmers of the Saipan Swim Club have their own set of beliefs as 23 future aquatic stars were lauded for reducing their lap times in the Kan Pacific Swimming Pool in Marpi following the completion of the Fall Developmental session.

SSC head coach Michael Stewart taught the new crop of youngsters who came to the pool without a stroke of swim team experience—all between the ages of six and 14—and introduced them to the world of competitive swimming.

“We worked on all four competitive strokes, their turns, and their progression has been tremendous. It is my goal to introduce these kids to swimming and get them ready to participate on our year round swim team with confidence. Through the two six-week programs the young swimmers had the opportunity to compete in five developmental meets, Saipan’s All-Schools championships, and the first-ever Saipan Goodwill Open,” said Stewart.

After closely monitoring the swimmers’ progression throughout the program, Stewart awarded the top girl and top boy who demonstrated the greatest improvement in each of the four strokes, but the coach emphasized that the program was not intended to recognize the top performers alone.

“It’s not always about winning but about working and improving,” he said.

Stewart sang the praises of the program’s most improved girl as seven-year-old Alina Yoon dropped more over 40 seconds in her four events, while her eight-year-old brother Philip bagged the top honors for the boys by dropping just under a minute from his events. The brother-sister combo was each awarded a one-day pass each to the Pacific Islands Club waterpark for their efforts in Marpi, but they weren’t the only kids who shed time from their laps.

Seven-year-old Hunter Jewel trimmed 45.81 seconds from his time for the second-best reduction in the blue, while Sam Park (36.26), Maxi Braig (36.14), and Bryce Daly (28.82) rounded out the top droppers from the boys’ side of the pool.

The girls also had plenty of improvement as 10-year-old Zoe Travis propelled herself through the water 20.45 seconds faster while Cassidy Majors (7.20) and Raina Klaver (5.83) each sawed off seconds as well.

The coach also took some time to highlight the progress 12-year-old Yong Park by saying, “If I were to award a most outstanding swimmer award it would have to go to Yong Park. He is just about ready to move to the next level.”

While the Fall session has already come to a close, the door is just opening for the Winter as an abbreviated four-week developmental session started this past Monday and will continue through to Thursday, Dec. 22. Interested swimmers can still join the successful program by contacting Stewart for more information by calling 322-9474 or via email at swimsaipan@hotmail.com.