Iolani, Waiakea
to defend titlesLast year's swimming and diving
champs will try to stay on top
The Iolani boys and Waiakea girls are set to defend their titles at the Local Motion State Swimming and Diving Championship Tournament tomorrow and Saturday on Maui.
State tournaments
Swimming and diving: Tomorrow and Saturday at the Coach Soichi Sakamoto Pool on Maui
Paddling: Tomorrow at the Seaplane Runway of Keehi Lagoon near Honolulu International Airport beginning at 10 a.m.
Individually, five previous boys champions are back to compete at the Coach Soichi Sakamoto Pool, including two state record-holders
Iolani's Mark Eckert Jr. set the mark in the 200-yard freestyle and the 500 freestyle in 2002, and he won the 100 butterfly last year, but he won't be competing in any of those events. Instead, he'll swim in the 100 backstroke and the 200 individual medley and try to lead the Raiders to their third straight team title.
Punahou's Drew Wallace, the record-holder in boys 1-meter diving, is back to defend his championship from last year, while Seabury Hall's Randall Tom (50 freestyle, 100 butterfly), Punahou's Noa Sakamoto (200 and 500 freestyle) and Kapolei's Ed Afualo (three-time 100 breaststroke champion) also return for more title shots.
Waiakea's Tamarah Binek is one of six previous girls champions competing, and she's trying to help the Warriors to their third straight state crown. Binek is also aiming to recapture the 50 and 100 freestyle titles she won in 2002, but she'll have to get past Kapolei's Meredith Egloria, who won both events a year ago.
Maui's Chelsea Nagata goes for her third straight 100 butterfly championship.
St. Andrew's Priory's Aleia Mondon (1-meter diving), Kalaheo's Christine Phillips (500 freestyle) and Kealakehe's Amanda Hamilton (100 backstroke) are the other returning girls champions.
Punahou has won 80 state championships (39 of 46 boys and 41 of 46 girls) since the event began in 1958.
Paddling state tourney tomorrow: The First Hawaiian Bank State Canoe Paddling Championships are set for tomorrow, starting at 10 a.m., at the Seaplane Runway of Keehi Lagoon near Honolulu International Airport.
Kamehameha is going for its third straight girls championship, while Iolani is shooting for its second straight boys title and McKinley is trying to repeat as mixed champions.
The seeded league champions are: Waimea, Kealakehe, Iolani and Kalaheo boys; Punahou, Anuenue, Seabury Hall and Kauai girls; and Kauai, Castle, King Kekaulike and Konawaena mixed.
