Junior Olympics Summary

Junior Olympics Long Course July 2009 at Concord

MCAT swimmers Grant Hashimoto, Toby Macacbugao and Celeste Valdez participated in this summer’s Junior Olympic Meet in Concord, California.  In the sweltering heat (average 104 temp) all swimmers could home feeling good about their performances.  

Celeste Valdez survived the nervousness and excitement of her first JO meet, swimming her second fastest 50 fly time.  A first time swim is always risky and interesting at a Championship meet.  Celeste had a great start and breakout. Celeste showed poise and seemed to control the first time jitters very well.

Grant Hashimoto  bettered 3 of his times at JO’s.   He improved his 100 fly time by .30 and shaved time off of his 200 breast.  The swim of the meet for Grant was the 50 free.  He swam a 25.79 in prelims, which was good enough for a second swim in the 17-18   50 Meter free finals.  He ended up swimming his personal best time 25.50.

Toby Macabugao exhibited inspirational and breathtaking performances in preliminaries and finals.  I knew he would have fast swims based on practice performance, but had no idea how much better he would do.  He had a powerful swim in the 400IM on the first day (5:45.09) to get him into finals for another swim. He placed 7th in this event and bettered his time in finals another 5 seconds (5:40.88) dropping 16.62 seconds from his entry time (a new PRT). This event set the tone for the rest of the meet.  Many Western Zone qualifying times, PRT’s and finals would follow.  He would also have the privilege and honor to compete in the same races as some new Pacific Records and National Record Holders.  Competition at the top was tough and he was right in the mix. In the 50 Meter free he dropped 3.35 seconds going 29.93.  In the 50 back he dropped 3.86 seconds going 37.35.  In the 50 breast, he swam a 36.51 a personal best time and the 3rd fastest time of the meet.  In finals he placed 9th with a 37.13.  In the 100 breast he dropped 4.87 seconds going 1:19.32 a PRT and best time placing 6th . He earned a new Far Western cut in the 200 fly and placed 10th.  He earned a new PRT in the 100 fly (1:14.06).  My favorite race was the 200 breast because he beautifully split and strategically raced it almost perfectly both times he swam it.  Toby earned the 200 Breast cut in a short course meet and JO’s was his first time swimming in competition this race.  Wow is all I can say!  Preliminaries  2:56.06   Finals  2:52.70 PRT,WZQT, and USA Swimming AAAA.  And.....a 4th place finish.  There are few times that I have been so moved by a performance. There were spine tingling and tear producing performances by Toby at this meet.  

I am so proud to have been witness to these performances by all three athletes.

Sincerely,

Head Coach 

Dia C. Rianda