Steve Borowski has seen quite a bit during his time around the Kona Community Aquatic Center, but Friday the Kona Aquatics head coach had only one word to describe the swimming of his pupil Cara Jernigan at the Hawaii Age-Group Short Course Swimming Championships: “Nuts.”
Steve Borowski has seen quite a bit during his time around the Kona Community Aquatic Center, but Friday the Kona Aquatics head coach had only one word to describe the swimming of his pupil Cara Jernigan at the Hawaii Age-Group Short Course Swimming Championships: “Nuts.”
Jernigan set the state record in the 17-18 100 breaststroke with a time of 1 minute, 3.08 seconds — more than a full second faster than the previous record, 1:04.27, set by Brittany Beauchan in 2006.
“I was really surprised,” said Jernigan. “I was hoping, but you never know how you are going to do.”
Jernigan also won the 17-18, 400 individual medley — with fellow Kona Aquatics swimmer Leahi Camacho following close behind in second — and took silver in the 200 freestyle.
Borowski stressed that times recorded at the event will have an impact on the future of the young swimmers.
“We are really trying to find schools where they can fit in,” Borowski said of the Kealakehe seniors. “What they do in this meet is huge.”
Jernigan was not the only Big Island swimmer atop the podium Friday. Warrior Aquatics Club swimmer Jordan Kamimura won the 15-16 100 breaststroke with a time of 59.22. WAC’s Korrie Tengan also earned gold, winning the girls 10-and-under 100 backstroke in 1:09.29.
Hilo Aquatic Club’s Christian Kubo earned the silver in the 17-18 100 breaststroke and WAC’s Ryan Bisel earned the same honor in the 17-18 400 individual medley.
Kamehameha Swim Club standout Jasmine Mau had an outstanding day in the pool as well.
Mau collected four gold medals Friday, in the 17-18, 200 freestyle and butterfly, as well as the 50 freestyle and 400 medley relay.
Kamehameha continues to dominate the team standings with 946.5 points. Punahou Aquatics is the next closest team at 549. Kona Aquatics remains the top Big Island team with 142 points.
The action continues today at the Kona Community Aquatic Center starting 8:30 a.m. and will run until late afternoon.