 Top seeds
By Kyle Sakamoto
Advertiser Staff Writer
Punahou’s Nick Borreca is the two-time defending state champion in the 200- and 500-yard freestyle events.
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| Punahou's Nick Borreca will swim the 50 and 100 freestyle events instead of defending his titles in the 200 and 500.
Cory Lum • The Honolulu Advertiser |
But he won’t be defending either title at the Local Motion State Swimming and Diving Championships Friday and Saturday at the Duke Kahanamoku Aquatic Complex.
Instead, the Buffanblu junior will compete as the top seed in the 50 and 100 freestyle.
"I’ve always felt I was a sprinter," Borreca said. "Taking this big, drastic change in events, it should be really fun to see how I do."
According to Punahou coach Kenneth Chew, Borreca has won almost all of his races this season.
"We’ve seen him swim some amazing swims," Chew said. "The highlight being at the Kalani Invitational (Jan. 12-13). He is one of the few swimmers to go under the 21 (second) barrier for the 50 free."
Borreca’s top times are 20.90 seconds for the 50 and 47.19 for the 100. Chew said Borreca will also compete in two of the three relay events.
At last year’s state championships on Maui, Borreca was part of the state record-setting 200 freestyle relay team. He also competed in the 400 freestyle relay, but his team was disqualified.
Taking Borreca’s place for Punahou in the 200 and 500 is freshman Noa Sakamoto.
Borreca and Sakamoto are the only boys swimmers to be a top seed in two individual events.
"We should do really good," Borreca said. "I’m confident and my teammates should really excel in their events."
Punahou has won 38 of the 43 boys’ state championships, but only two of the past five.
Last year, Baldwin High of Maui won the title.
"The field has become more competitive," said Chew, who also coaches the girls. "There are a lot of good swimmers in a lot of different areas. It’s evening out among the state."
Chew feels the top contenders for the boys’ title will be ‘Iolani, Punahou and Baldwin.
‘Iolani has seven top 3 seeds among the nine individual events. Punahou has five and Baldwin four.
‘Iolani is also the top seed in the 200 medley and 200 freestyle relays. Punahou is the top seed in the 400 freestyle relay.
Punahou has won 40 of the 43 girls’ state titles, including the past two.
Chew said the girls’ championship will be a closer race than the past few years.
Waiakea has six top 3 seeds among the nine individual events. Punahou has five, and Kaiser and Maui each have three.
Punahou is the top seed in the 200 and 400 freestyle relays. Waiakea is the top seed in the 200 medley relay.
Kaiser’s Ashley Swart is the only girl swimmer to be seeded first in two individual events (200 individual medley and 500 freestyle).
She won the 200 and 500 freestyle at last year’s state championships.
Correction: A previously posted version of this story misspelled the name of Punahou swim coach Kenneth Chew.
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