The Pueo swim team features standout competitors.

NAPILI – With the opening of the sparkling Bozich Center for Athletics and Performing Arts set for early March, Maui Preparatory Academy winter athletic teams power through their seasons with great anticipation of christening their on-campus sports center in Napili.

The Maui Prep basketball, swimming and paddling teams continue to grow under the veteran coaching staffs assembled by Athletic Director and College Counselor Keenan Reader.

Competing in Maui Interscholastic League Division II, all three programs have surged forward to contention in their respective conference races.

The Pueo varsity basketball team tipped off its inaugural season in December and will be led by longtime Westside hoops mentor Chris Salem and assistant coaches Jorge Ruiz and Josh Chapital. The team roster includes seniors Taylor Kirby and Harrison Cramond; junior Ozzie Doherty; sophomores Bennett Bluh, Caleb Chumley, Dylan Falk, James Falk and Drew Triplett; and freshman Mathew Iverson.

Maui Prep swimming is guided by 13-year veteran coach Mike “Tex” Ritter and faculty member Kirsten Byers. Team captains include Olivia Bozich and Jerone Samari, with standout competitors Paloma Banto, Slater Fleck and freshman sensation Mathew Iverson leading the way for the Pueo.

Maui Preparatory Academy’s Bozich Center for Athletics and Performing Arts is slated to open in March

The team roster also includes seniors Nadine Cunha, Ava Merrill and Gabriella Wells; juniors Noelle Sheveland, Nils Kleinschmidt, Jonah Kirkham, Peyton Gillespie and Nolan Brown; sophomores Beatriz Aliaga, Zoe Gonzalez, Noah Schwartzlow and Caden Wheeler; and first-year swimmers Kajsa Whitley, Margaux Perchard, Mia Merrill, Tessa Chin and Niko Banto.

The Maui Prep paddling team is led by head coach Boi Crichton and assistant coaches Kirk Snyder, Lorena Martinez, Carlos Wegner and Mark Shimer. The program is supported by Lahaina Canoe Club, and the Pueo paddlers thank the organization for helping perpetuate the culture of the Hawaiian outrigger canoe.

“This paddling team is an enthusiastic group of student-athletes who have dedicated this season to perpetuating the Hawaiian culture by planting their own roots at Hanakao’o Beach (Canoe Beach). Morale is high, and the kids are excited to showcase what they’re learning on the race course,” said Coach Crichton.

The Pueo paddling team roster is made up of seniors Wilson Tinker, Banyan Neece and Eva Maria Kareneva Simpson; juniors Yaelle Ador, Lillian Bourland, Zyra Gonzalez, Valentin Haase, Charltyn Hannan, Jordan Houghlum, Jolene Munch, Ashley Nielson, Aiesha Pradhan, Jack Sisco, Sydney Snyder, Lola Trucco and Sofie Webber; sophomores Sophie Waschull, Jacob Jerome, Maya Frank, Shelby Dresser, Kapuahaunani Coon and Aiden Bluh; and first-year paddlers Mathew Cahill, Luseane “Lusy” Taufa and Jocelyn Vasquez.