KEAAU – From its divers to its abundance of relay teams to its ability to field a medal contender in each event, it’s easy to see which school is at the top of the food chain this season in BIIF swimming.
KEAAU – From its divers to its abundance of relay teams to its ability to field a medal contender in each event, it’s easy to see which school is at the top of the food chain this season in BIIF swimming.
Hawaii Prep is here, Hawaii Prep is there … Hawaii Prep is everywhere.
Ka Makani’s depth again makes them the favorite to sweep the boys and girls titles at the league championships in a few weeks, but even with their large roster they were far from alone Saturday on the deck of Kamehameha’s Naeole Pool.
Numbers are higher this season in the BIIF, even as the number of top-end talent has dwindled.
“Participation is up, absolutely,” Kealakehe coach Steve Borowski said. “The age-group program is bigger than it been, so I think we’re getting some flow there.
“But there are a lot of new swimmers who are swimming for the first time as well.”
Keaau and Honokaa have teams this season – there are 13 in all – and schools such as St. Joseph, Makau Lani and Christian Liberty have a presence as well.
“If everybody showed up, we’d have more,” Hilo coach Jon Hayashida said. “This season we have more schools that actually have teams.”
The Dragons resurrected their program this season with six swimmers, five of whom are first-time high school participants. Jesse Bendsten has previous experience and he’s spent the season closing in on HHSAA qualifying times in the 50- and 100-yard freestyle.
“He hasn’t qualified yet, but he’s really close and working on it,” Honokaa coach Fred Silva said. “Seems like it’s taking forever to shave off that one second.”
Honokaa doesn’t have the advantage of having multiple clubs nearby in North Hawaii, but it does have a county novice program.
“The biggest challenge is having kids that are interested in swimming year-round,” Silva said.
Hayashida also coaches three swimmers from St. Joseph, and Saturday he watched Cardinals freshman Mary Campbell qualify for states in the 500 freestyle. He couldn’t remember another St. Joe swimmer reaching states dating back to 2000.
Borowski celebrates the increased participation, but as far as BIIF blue chippers, he said, “It comes and goes,” and this season it’s the latter and the continuation of a trend.
“If you look a some of the swimmers that are in front, a lot are freshman,” Hayashida said.
The league failed to produce an individual state champion last year after having at least two swimmers strike gold in each of the previous five HHSAA meets.
Hawaii Prep prep freshman Maile Lawson has one of the best shots to win this season in the 100 breaststroke, though Punahou’s Maddie Balish returns in the event. Last year, she threatened the state record that Kealakehe graduate Cara Jernigan set in 2014.
“Maile will be ready,” said Borowski, who coaches the age-group record-holder at Kona Aquatic Club. “She a big-meet swimmer.”
While Lawson has only helped to widen the gap for the two-time defending champion Hawaii Prep girls, the Ka Makani boys had to work hard last season at BIIFs to hold off a strong threat from the Waveriders.
This season, however, the Kealakehe boys have only three swimmers. Joshua Bandt stood out Saturday, winning three events (50 and 100 freestyle, 100 backstroke).
Another perennial boys contender is Waiakea, but despite getting Noah Kimura’s two victories (200 individual medley, 500 freestyle) on Saturday, coach Bill Sakovich didn’t like his teams chances against Ka Makani at BIIFs.
“We’ll do out best, but I’m not as excited about winning as in the past,” Sakovich said. “HPA can field four to five relay teams. I”m lucky to field one.”
The last regular season meet is on tap Saturday at Kona Community Aquatic Club, then Naeole Pools hosts BIIFs (Feb. 6) and states (Feb. 13).