HHSAA swimming: HPA freshman in race to watch

It’ll be a really long day before one of the best races — event No. 21, the 100-yard girls breaststroke — grabs the spotlight at the HHSAA state swimming and diving championships on Saturday at Kamehameha’s Naeole Pool.

There are few guarantees in life, such as it always rains in Hilo and there is always traffic in Honolulu, but one thing is certain: Hawaii Prep freshman Maile Lawson and Punahou junior Maddie Balish will post qualifying times Friday and battle in the eight-field final a day later.

Of the 24 events on Saturday, none will crank up the atmosphere like the girls 100 breaststroke. It’ll be a good one between the veteran Balish and the rookie Lawson, who carries the poise of a senior. Count that as a guarantee.

Balish is the defending state breaststroke champion with a time of 1:02.85 last year. As a freshman in 2014, she was second in 1:05.99, far behind the Big Island’s own Cara Jernigan, of Kealakehe, who set a state record of 1:03.14.

Jernigan is the only BIIF swimmer still holding a state record, which may stand or fall, depending on how hard the two talented breaststrokers push each other. (Jernigan is a sophomore at the University of Idaho and was selected to swim in the biennial Oceania Swimming Championships in June in New Zealand.)

At the BIIF championships last Saturday, Lawson won the 100 breast in 1:05.99. That established a league championship mark, erasing 2013 Waiakea graduate Madi Uekawa’s 1:06.03 from the record books.

Lawson also captured gold in the 200 individual medley, 200 medley relay, and 400 free relay. Two teammates also had four gold: Kira Parker (100 backstroke, 100 freestyle, 200 free relay, and 200 medley relay) and Frida Berglund (200 free, 500 free, 200 free relay, and 400 free relay).

Jernigan, a 2014 Kealakehe graduate, still holds the BIIF league record of 1:05.65 set in 2014. Obviously, when the stage was bigger and the competition tougher, Jernigan swam even better at states. That’s what the best ones routinely do.

“Maile works hard and likes big meets. She has a strong background in swimming,” HPA coach Mark Noetzel said. “She performs very well at big meets. She’s a prime-time player.”

One might think that Lawson is built like Michael Phelps, over 6 feet tall with big hands and bigger feet. But the youngster is the opposite, good-looking with normal-sized hands, feet and ears. She’s also just 5 feet 4.

So why is Lawson faster than her competition, at least so far on the Big Island, in her favored breaststroke?

“The breaststroke is all about timing and feel. Every time an athlete swims it’s about capturing that timing and feel. The same can be said about the butterfly,” Noetzel said. “I’m excited about Maile. She’s young and just in her first year. It should be fun to watch her grow.”

For her part, Lawson isn’t one to enjoy the thrill of victory on a podium medal stand. She would rather a spotlight shine on all her teammates.

“My coaches have helped me, and my teammates have been very supportive,” Lawson said. “I’ll try to focus on myself and not worry about others. And I want to keep improving my time.”

In a nutshell, that summarizes Lawson, who’s driven, team-oriented and most comfortable in the pool, like all the best ones — regardless of her time or standing on the podium.

Glance

At Kamehameha’s Naeole Pool

Friday

HHSAA trials, 3:30 p.m.

Saturday

HHSAA championships, 1 p.m.