KAILUA-Kona — When it comes to the Big Island swimming scene, three of the high school girls who have really stood out over the past two years are Kealakehe’s Ku’uleionalani Patterson, Hawaii Prep’s Maile Lawson and Waiakea’s Mina Poppas.
Earlier this school year, Lawson committed to the University of Southern California and Poppas is headed to Vermont, Patterson joined those two Monday her in making plans for the next level, signing a scholarship to attend Washington State University.
Patterson was looking at Washington State and Colorado State, eventually picking the Division I Pac-12 school after a recent recruiting trip.
“The coaches were just vibrant in the first phone call I had with them and they provided me with the comfort similar to how my coaches are here,” Patterson said. “I also met with the team and fell in love with them. There is a great, positive feel to the program.”
Patterson is a champion at the high school level, and regularly finishes near the top of the field in ocean water swims, which includes victories in the Big Island’s Triple Crown of Open Water Swimming series.
“I have been swimming since I was 8 years old and I have loved it ever since,” Patterson said. “Open water swimming really gave me a boost in confidence because I am out there swimming against people of all ages and from all over.”
Patterson — who swims for the Kona Dolphins — is ranked the 10th-best swimmer in Hawaii according to collegeswimming.com. She is the second Big Islander behind Lawson, who is No. 1 overall.
“Ku’uleionalani is a grinder, a quiet swimmer behind the scenes who carries her lunch bucket to work and gets it done,” said Kealakehe head coach Randy Willis. “She quietly intimidates other swimmers because she is a finisher. She won’t give up until the last stroke at the wall.”
Willis believes Patterson will find the right coaching at Washington State to help her grow into a more powerful and faster swimmer.
“Right now her swim times are at the borderline Division I level,” he said. “But she will thrive at Washington State. They will surround her with the support she needs to succeed, giving her coaches for individual events. She won’t have to carry the entire load herself.”
WSU is coached by Matt Leach, who joined the program nearly one year ago. The Cougars placed eighth overall in the PAC 12 championship meet at the end of the 2018-19 season
Tsuha signs with Whitman
Patterson was joined by teammate Shea Tsuha on signing day. Tsuha made her commitment to Whitman College, located in Walla Walla, Washington.
“I really liked that it is a small school and I will be able to connect 1-on-1 with my professors,” said Tsuha on why she signed with the NCAA Division III school. “They are a good academic and athletic fit for me.”
Willis believes Tsuha will find a lot of success at Whitman.
“She brings a lot of enthusiasm and intensity to training,” Willis said. “I see her getting to Nationals at Whitman and being very competitive.”
Whitman is coached by Jennifer Blomme. Behind Bloome, the team has found a lot of success, recently claiming its third straight Northwest Conference championship.