2016 Hawaii High School Swimming & Diving Championships Preview

2016 OC16 SWIMMING & DIVING CHAMPIONSHIPS

• Friday, February 12 – Saturday, February 13
• Kamehameha Schools – Hawaii Campus
• Defending Champions- Women: Mid Pacific Institute, Men: Punahou (Results)
• Psych Sheet

Girl’s Meet

Even after losing key seniors such as Lena Hayakawa, Rebecca Walton and diver Anna Archibald, this year Mid Pacific Institute will look to defend their title and hold off Punahou High School for yet another year. Hayakawa racked up valuable points at the championships last year, leading her team to victory in the 400 free relay, winning the 200 IM and placing 2nd in the 500 free behind Walton.

Other members of the Mid pacific Institute team will need to step up to fill these voids; like junior Maia Petrides who placed 2nd in the 200 free final (1:53.43) and 100 free final (52.66) last year. Her teammate, freshman Mariah Walton is set to make her states debut, entering in the 200-yard (2:03.05) and 500-yard freestyle events (5:24.65).

Other names to look out for include veteran Aimee Iwamoto of Moanalua High School, who will compete in the 200-yard IM and 100-yard breast. Last year, she placed 4th in the 200 IM (2:09.38) and 3rd in the 100 breast (1:06.41). Lia Foster of Punahou is seeded with a 56.91 in the 100-yard back, splits off of her 2nd place finish at last year’s finals (57.12) and will also be a face to watch this weekend, along with new teammate Nohea Lileikis, the freshman seeded first in both the 200 free with a time of 1:52.19 and the 500 free with 4:59.79.

Boy’s Meet

The boys of Punahou posted impressive results at last year’s championships, to give them a 12 point win over 2nd place finishers Kamehameha Schools Kapalama, and are looking to regain their title this weekend.

Senior Aukai Lileikis will be sure to go out in style at his last high school state meet, seeded way ahead of the field in the 200 free (1:37.19) and the 100 free (44.41). His teammates Kekoa Vieira and Sean Kwon will also both be looking to make a impact in the 100-yard backstroke.

Another names to watch out for this weekend include M.J. Mao, who is seeded first in both the 100 butterfly (48.90) and 100 breaststroke (56.78), in times just over a second off of the state record in both events. Sprinter Jun Yeub Yoon of Roosevelt High School will also be looking to make an impression, being the top seed in the 50 free (21.49) and the 2nd seed in the 100 back (53.34), just behind Iolani’s Sung Je Lee (53.05).