By Kiana Caranto
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Kamehameha Swim Club members Junior Kevin Frifeldt and Senior Tomas Sodini began their spring break early to compete in the annual Northwest Senior Sectional Championships held in Federal Way, Wash., from March 13 to 17.
“They did very well, a lot of best times for both of them. And they performed well in the relays as well which is really important for us,” explained co-head coach John Flanagan.
The first part of the competition was the preliminary rounds, in which the top 32 swimmers would advance to the finals. Frifeldt and Sodini both competed in various individual events as well as multiple relay events. There were over 170 teams competing and Kamehameha Swim Club placed eighth overall. Each swimmer earned points for their own team, the points were then added together to get the overall team score. “It was just a really big trip. There’s no other Hawaii team that’s ever been anywhere near the top 10,” said Flanagan.
This competition gave the athletes a chance to compete against swimmers different from their opponents during the high school season. “It was pretty cool because we were racing people that aren’t exactly our same age,” stated Frifeldt. Flanagan added, “I think it’s a great experience in racing all levels. There were college swimmers, there were people older than college.”
However, this success did not come easy. Both athletes prepared by going to practices outside of school that consisted of hours of swimming training and strength training out of the water. “We just went through a tough training season and we just came back from resting for high school states so we just did our best to focus on the small things,” said Frifeldt.
Although this trip offered the swimmers an opportunity to compete, they also had a chance to enjoy themselves. “The competition was great and all but having more quality time with the team was probably the highlight,” explained Frifeldt. Sodini added, “We do this trip every year. This year was probably the (most fun).”
Frifeldt plans to take what he gained from this competition and carry it over to next year’s high school season. “I want to win high school states in at least one of my events next year. I’m going to work really hard for that,” said Frifeldt. Unlike him, Sodini’s swimming career will not continue after high school. “That was my last meet. I don’t swim in college because the college I’m going to doesn’t offer it,” explained Sodini.
Both swimmers contributed greatly to their team’s success and while Frifeldt plans to rest up for the next high school season, Sodini will be heading off to college.
