Swimming: 54-year-old Kniseley claims Hapuna Rough Water

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KOHALA COAST – The Hapuna Rough Water swim has been known as a young swimmers game for some time now.

KOHALA COAST – The Hapuna Rough Water swim has been known as a young swimmers game for some time now.

Too bad nobody told Daniel Kniseley.

Kniseley — a 54-year-old retired lifeguard who moved to the Big Island from Florida late last year — rocketed to the front of the pack and won a short footrace on the beach to finish in 23 minutes, 31 seconds, good for first overall honors at the 38th edition of the swim on Saturday.

Madeline Foo, just a few steps behind Kniseley, stopped the clock at 21:14, finishing as the first female and second overall. Ky Foo — the 2011 champ — rounded out the overall top three, pushing past the finish line in 21:16.

Nolan Grossman (21:19) was the third overall male and Maile Lawson (21:32) and Tori Oshiro (21:34) followed Madeline Foo as the second and third females out of the water, respectively.

Kniseley proved winning the Cinco de Mayo Splash in May was no fluke, and now has the first two races of the Triple Crown of open water swimming to his name. But when asked about how he felt after the win Saturday, Kniseley had a comical response.

“Old,” he said with a grin.

Kniseley then got a bit more serious when accounting his day in the water.

“You’re only as tired as you make yourself. We worked hard in practice and I felt good today,” Kniseley said. “I always just go out there and just see how it goes. It’s fun. The kids are very good motivators.”

Kniseley might be a new resident to the Big Island but Hapuna isn’t new to it. He has been visiting for decades, and said his son learned to walk on the sands of Hapuna in 1997. Now, as a full-timer, he trains with Steve Borowski’s Kona Aquatics club, and has made an impression on the Hall of Fame Waterman.

“He trains with our masters team and is not afraid to work hard,” Borowski said. “Great work ethic.”

Kniseley competed in lifeguard saving competitions — which are meant to showcase rescue skills and encourage lifeguard training — during his tenure as a lifeguard in Florida. Those events provided an element of competition, but Kniseley said he enjoyed doing them because they helped him improve at his job.

Competing in the Triple Crown was Borrowski’s idea.

“I wasn’t even going to do it this year, but coach Steve really thought I should,” Kniseley said. “Honestly, I’m more interested in helping with the water patrol. I’ve done enough races, and that’s what feels natural.”

On the female side, Tori Oshiro took the lead in the Triple Crown race, moving to a 44:26 cumulative time through two races. She holds a sizeable lead over Hannah Tomlinson (46:00) and Ku’uleionalani Patterson (46:02).

The Kona Aquatics-hosted King’s Swim will close out the action on July 4 at Kailua Pier at 8 a.m.

Saturday at Hapuna

1 Daniel Kniseley M 50-54 21:13.9

2 Madeline Foo F 15-16 21:14.8

3 Kai Foo M 19-24 21:16.6

4 Nolan Grossman M 15-16 21:19.1

5 Maile Lawson F 13-14 21:32.8

6 Tori Oshiro F 15-16 21:34.4

7 Daniel Manzo M 17-18 21:39.0

8 Cody Hamane M 19-24 22:21.1

9 Alyssa Foo F 19-24 22:30.5

10 Kuuleionalani Patterson F 13-14 22:35.0

11 Max Owens M 13-14 22:35.8

12 Kevin Donlon M 35-39 22:40.0

13 Aye Chan San Tun M 13-14 22:41.9

14 Aimee Kolman F 45-49 22:45.8

15 Mina Poppas F 13-14 22:52.0

16 Chad Owens M 45-49 22:52.3

17 Jim Mellon M 50-54 22:55.2

18 Hannah Tomlinson F 15-16 23:25.5

19 Weylin Foo M 13-14 23:40.7

20 Beth Tsuha F 19-24 23:41.6

21 Jacob Schnitzler M 13-14 23:45.1

22 Chloe Hughes F 11-12 23:47.0

23 Joe Kent M 25-29 23:56.4

24 Craig Franz M 60-64 23:59.8

25 Connor Brunnell M 15-16 24:00.5

26 Maile Fediuk F 13-14 24:00.9

27 Kai Griley M 11-12 24:01.2

28 Michael Duggan M 15-16 24:04.7

29 Derek Monell M 50-54 24:09.3

30 Glee Jewell F 55-59 24:13.9

31 Jerry Bess M 50-54 24:14.6

32 Trent Fischer M 40-44 24:16.4

33 Phillip Kim M 30-34 24:17.2

34 Ryan Downey M 35-39 24:18.2

35 Noelani Vargas F 19-24 24:22.0

36 Danny Becker M 45-49 24:31.2

37 Unknown 24:32.0

38 Benjamin Poppas M 15-16 24:32.3

39 Leah DeCleene F 13-14 24:43.7

40 Cody Ranfranz M 15-16 24:44.2

41 Ka Hartley F 13-14 24:47.3

42 Ralph Smalling M 55-59 24:51.2

43 Jim Budde M 65-69 24:55.7

44 Jim McCleery M 65-69 24:57.2

45 Sarah Sermons F 25-29 24:57.8

45 Tracy Yost M 45-49 24:58.2

46 Jennifer Stabrylla F 50-54 25:05.3

47 William Lees M 50-54 25:10.6

48 Brent Imonen M 45-49 25:21.8

49 Silas Wiley M 13-14 25:37.4

50 Mary Campbell F 13-14 25:39.3

51 Sherridan Nelson Langacker F 15-16 25:0 40.2

52 Ashley Rynkewicz F 13-14 25:48.1

53 Koa Miche M 11-12 25:48.8

54 Keolalani Oka M 30-34 25:49.1

55 Makena Silva F 11-12 25:50.2

56 Kyle Weick M 11-12 25:50.4

57 Jason Freitas M 35-39 25:53.8

58 Duke Becker M 9-10 25:55.0

59 Jonah Silva M 17-18 26:17.7

60 Claire Hughes F 9-10 26:18.0

61 Makena Becker F 11-12 26:25.5

62 Ben Fischer M 55-59 26:54.0

63 Chenoa Jesser F 19-24 26:59.0

64 Art Miller M 55-59 27:01.2

65 Loea Andrade F 13-14 27:02.6

66 Michael Smith M 45-49 27:02.9

67 Steve Orellana M 25-29 27:03.8

68 Alana Grossman F 11-12 27:10.5

69 Alfred Kent M 55-59 27:11.0

70 Bob Hoxsie M 55-59 27:11.6

71 Kailey Fediuk F 11-12 27:12.0

72 Aiden Ankrum M 9-10 27:14.8

73 Ed Wetherell M 45-49 27:22.1

74 Ron Ah Loy M 65-69 27:23.5

75 Brock Imonen M 13-14 27:25.5

76 Keakoa Pintor F 11-12 27:25.7

77 Nolan Yamaki M 35-39 27:33.1

78 Kiana Wiley F 9-10 27:42.6

79 Sylvia Ravaglia F 35-39 27:43.7

80 Hannah DeCleene F 13-14 27:47.8

81 Kanaipono Eckart M 11-12 27:51.3

82 Thomas DeMent M 30-34 27:58.3

83 Phoenix Furer F 11-12 27:58.8

84 Nathaniel Goodale M 19-24 28: 00.2

85 Jennifer Kamimura F 13-14 28:00.6

86 Krista Anderson F 19-24 28:01.2

87 Josiah Randerson M 13-14 28:01.8

88 Seinna Bne F 15-16 28:03.4

89 Paul Carney M 55-59 28:05.2

90 Erin Foley F 35-39 28:09.3

91 Denise Boatwright F 55-59 28:10.0

92 Sam Martin Ekings F 55-59 2 28 11.3

93 Peter Morton M 60-64 28:12.9

94 David G Rietow M 70-74 28:14.1

95 Bruce Wacker M 65-69 28:17.8

96 Jean Ouye F 19-24 28:21.2

97 Tilali Scanlan F 15-16 28:26.9

98 Rob Murray M 55-59 28:35.3

99 Mike Bennett M 35-39 28:48.6

100 Avan Becerra M 11-12 28:51.0

101 Finn Morton M 11-12 28:51.4

102 Kela Vargas F 19-24 29:23.4

103 Scott Whiting M 40-44 29:24.4

104 GW Henderson M 11-12 29:27.1

105 Michael Karson M 45-49 29:35.9

106 Adam Ankrum M 4 0-44 29:39.1

107 Julian Nelson langacker M 11-12 29:48.1

108 Nani Couwnberg F 15-16 30:02.6

109 Reiko Sekine F 55-59 30:12.0

110 Lance Oliver M 40-44 30:13.2

111 Alema Ah Loy M 11-12 30:13.9

112 Chris Downey M 60-64 30:17.8

113 Robert Puaokalani M 55-59 30:32.5

114 Kim Clingman F 45-49 30:33.9

115 Hiro Yanagihara M 45-49 30:36.1

116 In Chieh Chen F 30-34 30:37.3

117 Rani Henderson-T2 F 35-39 30:41.3

118 Mary CC Kent F 55-59 30:48.4

119 Steve Sugar M 65-69 30:55.4

120 John Ferdico M 45-49 30:58.4

121 Aipono Valente M 11-12 30: 58.8

122 Grace Rynkewicz F 9-10 31: 07.6

123 Clayton Oblero-Laboy M 9-10 31: 30.1

124 Marty Smith M 60-64 31: 33.8

125 Ted Shaw M 25-29 31: 37.2

126 Bella Shurley F 9-10 31: 43.2

127 Unknown N/A 31: 53.5

128 Kate Hamzi F 35-39 31: 55.4

129 Walter Andrae M 65-69 31: 58.3

130 Audrey Nixon F 15-16 31: 59.5

131 Kara de Carvalho F 13-14 32:02.3

132 Caitlyn Phillips F 13-14 32:05.1

133 Christian Phillips M 11-12 32:05.3

134 Sierra Perry F 17-18 32:06.9

135 Mark Mahaney M 55-59 32:08.6

136 Kekoa Ah Loy M 9-10 32:09.4

137 Mog Mather M 45-49 32:10.1

138 Jane Dierenfield F 65-69 32:18.1

139 Patti Kiernan F 65-69 32:18.5

140 Leire Montoya Ruiz F 19-24 32:19.6

141 Peaman M 50-54 32:48.4

142 Crystal Banning F 25-29 32:49.1

143 Sean Jesser M 17-18 32:50.7

144 Laurie Beers F 60-64 32:51.8

145 Jahsaiah Yoshizumi M 11-12 32:52.7

146 Serena Puaokalani F 45-49 32:53.1

147 Catherine Spina F 30-34 32:59.2

148 Ailidh Carroll F 11-12 33:00.3

149 Katherine DuBose-Oliver F 40-44 33:01.3

150 James Tuscany M 60-64 33:05.2

151 Daniel Piccuta M 60-64 33:10.9

152 Donna Goodale F 60-64 33:12.4

153 Jayden Hall F 9-10 33:15.3

154 Susan Nixon F 45-49 33:20.4

155 Ricci Racela F 45-49 33:24.8

156 James Sakai M 55-59 33:30.1

157 Darwin Pagett M 50-54 33:38.6

158 Bob Ranfranz M 60-64 33:39.8

159 Catherine Shannon F 50-54 33:41.4

160 Lauren DeMent F 30-34 33:42.4

161 Lee Otani F 60-64 33:45.4

162 Vaea Enos M 17-18 33:47.4

163 Jon Pace M 25-29 33:49.6

164 Jada Keen F 9-10 33:52.3

165 Ali Steiner F 40-44 34:04.9

166 Doug Henbest M 45-49 34:05.7

167 Kelly Shaw M 55-59 34:20.8

168 Lisa Week F 50-54 34:30.7

169 Carol Elliott F 75+ 34:33.1

170 Ada Benson F 15-16 34:39.6

171 Connor Aparicio-Bill M 9-10 34:43.8

172 Gary Romero M 25-29 34:44.5

173 Kathy Hasselbring F 60-64 34:49.2

174 Denise Berro F 55-59 34:53.4

175 Tiffany Chow F 45-49 34:55.5

176 Marko Reumann M 40-44 34:57.5

177 Sarah Govier F 35-39 35:00.3

178 Charles Keane M 60-64 35:14.7

179 Jan Wilson F 60-64 35:25.4

180 Jay Keen M 45-49 35:28.6

181 Henoch Heimana M 30-34 35:36.0

182 Linda Hallinger F 60-64 35:49.1

183 Tia Lindeman F 30-34 36:04.7

184 Lilo Fileiv F 9-10 36:05.8

185 Kai Imonen F 40-44 36:16.3

186 Peter Bresciani M 65-69 36:17.8

187 Chitwin SanTun M 45-49 36:24.7

188 Wendy Minor F 65-69 36:30.1

189 Vegard Floki Fileiv M 45-49 36:311

190 Danny Jesser M 60-64 36:34.9

191 Solomon Shumate M 11-12 36:58.9

192 Robin Woodley F 60-64 37:09.9

193 Natalia Ah Loy F 13-14 37:14.6

194 Nadia Yoshizumi F 13-14 37:25.6

195 Laura Rogers F 55-59 37:29.5

196 Jim Cruse M 55-59 37:36.5

197 Michael Traub M 60-64 37:42.8

198 Jim Wyban M 60-64 37:48.6

199 Frecia Cevallos F 40-44 37:57.6

200 Susan LaLanne F 70-74 38:18.2

201 George Ainge M 55-59 38:25.5

202 Mac Amos M 70-74 38:26.5

203 Lee Toki M 45-49 38:28.7

204 Douglas Dierenfield M 65-69 38:31.2

205 Ethan Becerra M 9-10 38:55.6

206 Tim Wiley M 55-59 39:27.1

207 Lori Maness F 50-54 39:31.9

208 Ron Peppler M 55-59 39:41.9

209 Dennis Osier M 75+ 39:44.5

210 Salonia Thomas M 13-14 40:08.0

211 Pomai Kamoku F 40-44 40:40.3

212 Unknown N/A 40:43.2

213 Nolan Chock M 60-64 40:53.5

214 Hirst Sean M 30-34 41:12;7

215 Jack Hoyt M 65-69 41:23.8

216 Margaret Serain F 60-64 41:35.9

217 Kyle Wanlass M 40-44 42:06.6

218 Jessie Veriato F 55-59 42:21.0

219 Katherine Nawahine F 40-44 42:33.7

220 Vivienne Aronowitz F 60-64 42:44.7

221 Richard Oehlman M 60-64 43:06.9

222 Unknown N/A 43:56.3

223 Roger Vargas M 65-69 44:07.8

224 Tina Benson F 45-49 45:04.9

225 Wendy Clark F 65-69 48:40.8

226 Alan Mitsuyoshi M 60-64 51:08.6

227 Michael Shumate M 35-39 52:11.2

228 Calvin Serain M 40-44 53:28.7

229 Mike Machado M 55-59 1:06:40.8

Ashley Miche F Keiki 400m Finisher

Ariana Akau F Keiki 400m Finisher

Maile Imonen F Keiki 400m Finisher

Avery Monty F Keiki 400m Finisher

Tiffany Ravaglia F Keiki 400m Finisher

Sophia Scholz F Keiki 400m Finisher

Briana Villamil F Keiki 400m Finisher

Gared Sarubbi-Monell M Keiki 400m Finisher

Alex Kaupu M Keiki 400m Finisher

Archer Ankrum M Keiki 400m Finisher

Siddney Shumate M Keiki 400m Finisher

Takumi Wetherell M Keiki 400m Finisher

Sean Weick M Keiki 400m Finisher

Sydney Budde F 19-24 No Time Available