The Oahu Interscholastic Association is proud of the accomplishments of Mililani’s Kiana White in her quest to become the ace swimmer of the league. At the Kalani Invitational Swim Meet on Saturday, January 2, the senior took a giant step in that direction by recording double victories to led the OIA swimmers charge against state-wide competition. White won the girls 200-yard Individual Medley in 2:18.90 and the girls 100-yard Breaststroke in 1:10.31.
White says winning those races was tough. “At this meet there were a lot of fast competitors. When I swam the breaststroke race I had to come from behind. That was a really close race. I had to push myself all-out so I could keep going forward. And I was fortunate to win at the end,” the 17 year-old said.
The Kalani event features some of Hawaii’s best high school swimmers and is known as the supreme meet of the season along with the HHSAA state championships. “This meet is a good chance for everyone to see who the opposing swimmers are. It also gave me a chance to find out what I need to work on to improve my swim times. And figure out strategy for my next races,” emphasized White.
“Since I was four years old, I’ve enjoyed the sport of swimming. As I got better and swam faster I decided to join the Hawaii Swimming Club,” White said. “Swimming for this club helped me learn the proper techniques of the various strokes. The coaches really helped me out a great deal. Soon I begin to notice that I started placing high in races and that gave me the momentum to work much harder.”
So far this season the 200-yard Individual Medley has been White’s best event. “I like swimming this race the best. It gives me a chance to swim a mixture of all of the different strokes. It also allows me the opportunity to not focus on just one single stroke. That way I have a chance to work all of my muscles, not the same ones over and over,” White said.
A goal of White's is to continue swimming in college. “When I became a teenager I placed college as my main aspiration, hoping that I could become good enough to earn a scholarship,” she said. White added she has received interest from several colleges, but have not yet made a final decision. She is hoping that her performances in upcoming meets will sway college coaches. “Last season, I finished second at states in the 100-yard Breaststroke. This year I really want to win a gold medal. So I practice everyday and I try to go to the gym as often as I can. Maybe my swim times will improve enough to keep the interest of (college) coaches.”
White, the daughter of Carol Wear and Philip White, is the defending champion of the OIA in the 200-yard Individual Medley and 100-yard Breaststroke races. A four-year member of Mililani’s varsity squad, she is also a swimmer on Mililani’s 200-yard Medley Relay and 400-yard Freestyle Relay teams.
Madeline Jamora of Kapolei and Daren Choi of Pearl City each won two races. Jamora took the girls 50-yard Freestyle in 25.06 seconds and the girls 100-yards Backstroke in 1:02.25. Choi captured first place in the boys 50-yard Freestyle in 21.76 seconds and the boys 100-yards Backstroke in 51.80. Matt Velasco was the lone winner for Kalani, securing a victory in the boys 100-yard Butterfly in 55.01 seconds. Jayson Hagi of Kapolei won the 500-yard Freestyle in 4:50.21.
The OIA Championship will be held on February 6 at Kalani High School.
