{"id":408696,"date":"2024-05-28T14:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-05-28T14:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/?p=408696"},"modified":"-0001-11-30T00:00:00","modified_gmt":"-0001-11-29T14:00:00","slug":"Great-experience-for-swimmers-in-HK","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/index.php\/Great-experience-for-swimmers-in-HK\/","title":{"rendered":"Great experience for swimmers in HK"},"content":{"rendered":"

Saipan Swim Club\u2019s Olivia and Gabriel Walsh and P.J. and Vince Seman Jr. had a great experience in Hong Kong for the Hong Kong Island Stingrays Swim Club Annual Summer Invitational Swim Meet 2024.<\/p>\n

The two sets of siblings competed in their first ever international event with over 500 swimmers from Hong Kong, the Philippines, China, and Vietnam last Friday to Sunday.<\/p>\n

Even if they didn\u2019t bag a podium finish, they swam their hearts out and represented the CNMI and SCC with great pride. Their coach, SCC\u2019s Richard Sikkel attested to their efforts and said, \u201cthe kids did great. What an experience for them.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI am super impressed with the way they conducted themselves during the meet and how well they executed the technical parts of their swims. Their starts (first time diving off a block for them), underwater, and turns all looked good,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Since this was the swimmers\u2019 first ever official meet, Sikkel said they entered them with estimated times for their event. With that, he said, \u201cThey all beat their expected times and were very poised during their prep and individual events.\u201d<\/p>\n

P.J., who was the oldest of the group at 11 years old, won his heat in the boys 10-and-over 50m freestyle event. He also finished in the finals of the 100m backstroke with a time of 1:46.96; finished a 1:36.23 100m freestyle; finished at 48.74 seconds in the 50m backstroke; and 38.94 seconds in the 50m freestyle finals.<\/p>\n

The Saipan International School student said the experience was \u201ca lot of fun. I was very nervous, so to win my heat was extra special. I\u2019m looking forward to more opportunities to race in future international swim meets if possible.\u201d<\/p>\n

For Vince Jr., who was first in the heat of the 50m backstroke, said he was excited but nervous at the same time. In the 50m breaststroke, he finished at 1:04.25; 48.68 seconds in the 50m backstroke; and 44.57 seconds in the 50m freestyle.<\/p>\n

\u201cI wanted to do well representing Saipan Swim Club,\u201d the 8-year-old said. He shared, although he was first in his heat, the touchpad didn\u2019t register, but he was glad when the replay video showed his win.<\/p>\n

Eight-year-old Olivia, for her part, said that initially she was scared because it was her first time traveling for a sports event. But on the second and third day, she felt a lot better because she got used to the environment.<\/p>\n

She finished at 2:00.59 in the 100m individual medley; 1:07.68 in the 50m breaststroke; 54.49 seconds in the 50m backstroke; and 43.11 seconds in the 50m freestyle.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was a very fun experience,\u201d said the SIS student. \u201cI enjoyed the medley on the first day the most. My favorite part was flying to a different country. I love traveling like Mommy.\u201d<\/p>\n

For older brother Gabriel, he finished at 1:51.68 in the 100m IM; 54.39 seconds in the 50m breaststroke; 50.83 seconds in the 50m backstroke; and 40.40 seconds in the 50m freestyle.<\/p>\n

He said of the experience, \u201cMy first international swim meet was scary yet fun. I also enjoyed the medley because I got second in my heat.\u201d<\/p>\n

The 9-year-old SIS student said, \u201cSwimming and representing the CNMI was my favorite part of the whole trip. I want to do more events in the future.\u201d<\/p>\n

After the event, the team, which included the Walsh\u2019s father Adam and the Seman\u2019s father, Vince, went up The Peak tram to enjoy a view of Hong Kong. They then checked out the bird, flower, and goldfish markets in Kowloon, and took a stroll down Hong Kong Harbour.<\/p>\n

The Walshes flew back home yesterday, while the Semans and Sikkel are flying back today.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Saipan Swim Club\u2019s young swimmers along with their fathers, Vince Seman, far left, and Adam Walsh, far right, pose with SCC coach Richard Sikkel in Hong Kong for the Hong Kong Island Stingrays Swim Club Annual Summer Invitational Swim Meet 2024 held last Friday to Sunday.<\/p>\n

-CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
<\/figcaption><\/figure>

<\/p>\n

From left standing, Saipan Swim Club\u2019s Vince Seman Jr., Gabriel Walsh, P.J. Seman, and Olivia Walsh, sitting, pose for a group photo after their first international swim meet in the Hong Kong Island Stingrays Swim Club Annual Summer Invitational Swim Meet 2024 held last Friday to Sunday.<\/p>\n

-CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
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