Pictured at the meet are (from left): Jamey Burkett and Coach Sirena Lacour of Maui; Alice Webb, Natasha Brice and Coach Denise Webb from Oahu; and Taralyn Fukushima from Maui.

LAHAINA — Maui Age Group Swimming Association competitors from all across the Valley Isle were greeted with a bright and sunny day for the organization’s first event of the pandemic twisted season at Lahaina Aquatic Center on Saturday, Oct. 16.

Adding to the joy of the day was the participation of four Special Olympics athletes — Jamey Burkett and Taralyn Fukushima from Maui, and Alice Webb and Natasha Brice from Oahu. The four young athletes were selected to participate in the Special Olympics USA National Games in Orlando, Florida, in June of 2022.

They will represent the 50th state as Hui O Hawaii and are mentored by head coach Denise Webb of Oahu and Maui lifeguard and Aquatics Division official Sirena Lacour in their quest to attain sanctioned times — this was the first time the athletes were registered USA Swimming members vying for sanctioned times — to qualify for national competition at Orlando. The four will also participate in the Hawaii State Special Olympics Championships later this year.

Lahaina Swim Club official Dave Wintermeyer was quick to note the inspirational effect of the Special Olympians’ swimming acumen and work ethic. “Our young swimmers were thrilled to share the pool with the Special Olympics swimmers and came away very inspired. We were all touched by the kindness and aloha their athletes shared with us.”

“These swimmers (Special Olympians) were so excited about participating in the meet,” Wintermeyer continued. “They all completed their races, including a medley relay, a 500-yard event and several 200-yard events. They have been working hard and they were so thrilled — as all of us were as well — to be here and competing in a sanctioned event.”

Coach Lacour added, “These swimmers have been training very hard since June, and it’s been challenging throughout the Covid restrictions, but we made it work! They needed to participate and receive official sanctioned times to qualify for their events at the games, which they did! The Maui teams were very gracious and accommodating to include these athletes.

“There was overwhelming support and encouragement from everyone in MAGSA. The next step is to continue to train and bring back gold medals for Hawaii. Please support this very important event by visiting Special Olympics Hawaii and Special Olympics USA Games Orlando 2022.”