Molokai’s Ward swims top times in 50, 100 free at state prelims
Kama Ward of Molokai High School posted the top qualifying times in the boys 50- and 100-yard freestyles during the K. Mark Takai/HHSAA Swimming and Diving State Championship trials Friday at the Kamehameha Hawaii campus.
Ward finished the 50 free in a time of 21.49 seconds, 0.19 seconds faster than Le Jardin’s Thomas Caps. The Farmers senior then posted a time of 47.21 in the 100 free, 0.36 better than Iolani’s Stone Miller.
Ward will be joined in the 100 free final today by Maui High’s Conner Gunderson, who was the fifth-fastest qualifier, and Maui Prep’s Legend Storer (tied for sixth).
Baldwin’s Carl Vincent McNabb will also swim in two individiual finals today after qualifying second in the boys 200 individual medley and third in the 100 backstroke. He also helped the Bears snag the last finals spot in the 200 medley relay.
Other boys finals qualifiers from the Maui Interscholastic League include King Kekaulike’s Edwin Barrett (eighth in 200 IM); Maui High’s Patrick Garduque (eighth in 100 butterfly), Niji Wada (fifth in 500 free) and the Sabers’ 200 free relay team; and Lahainaluna’s Maison Alexander (sixth in 500 free).
On the girls side, Seabury Hall’s Helena Colletta and Maui High’s Karissa Ginoza both qualified for two individual finals. Colletta was secondfastest in the 500 free and third in the 200 free, and Ginoza qualified fourth in the 100 back and sixth in the 100 fly. Ginoza was also on the Sabers’ qualifying teams in the 200 and 400 free relays
Maui Prep’s Mia Merrill secured her spot in the 100 breaststroke with the fourthfastest time in qualifying.