A Samoan junior swimming team has been chosen to compete in the Junior Pan Pacific Swimming Championship in Honolulu, Hawaii. 

This is the first-ever Junior Team Samoa representing the nation at the Junior Pan-Pacific Championship from the 24–27 August.

This competition is a valuable opportunity and considered a world-class treat for the young stars who have the potential to represent Samoa in future world championships and competitions.

The competition is open to athletes aged 13 to 18 and will bring swimmers from Australia, Canada, Japan, the United States, New Zealand, Samoa, Fiji, and Singapore.

Team Samoa consists of Palepua Afoa, from the village of Lano Savaii and Falefa; Solomona Hamilton from the villages of Luatuanu'u and Lufilufi, Kaiya Brown from Salani and Tanugamanono who is also the team captain; and Heilala Faasau from Moataa, who is the youngest on the team and the youngest at the Junior PanPacs.

In the Team, Palepua Afoa and Kaiya Brown share the experience of both having represented Samoa at the 2019 Pacific Games at ages 12 and 15 with Palepua being the youngest athlete in the team and Kaiya winning silver for the Women's 800 meter free relay.

Team Samoa came out of the competition slashing a few of their personal bests and breaking a number of age national records during the swimming meet.

Kaiya brown hit a personal best time in her 100m free and lead her teammates into a new Age National Record for the 4 x 200m Mixed Medley Relay. 

Palepua Afoa claimed age national records for both the Long Course and Short Course pools and just broke the Age National Record for 100m Freestyle at the Junior PanPacs. 

Solomona Hamilton shaved significant time off the 100m free and 100m back, edging 100ths of seconds in claiming a new age national record, while Heilala Faasau claimed the Age National Record of the 100m Breaststroke, a fabulous performance for someone who picked up the sport less than a year ago and has only stepped into more serious training over the last few months. 

Coach Suzie Schuster, who coaches the team, spoke highly of all the athletes and spoke of the challenges they had to come through after their success at the 2019 Pacific Games.

"After the successful 2019 Pacific Games, swimming has been hit hard with the global pandemic, the migration of coaches and swimmers relocating overseas, pool closures, border closures, personal loss and injury. World-wide, everyone has a story and a legitimate reason to give up on their goals. 

"However, it makes my heart swell when we worked hard pulling together resources, skills, connections and finances to get this Junior Team to Hawaii."

The coach said this is the first-ever Junior Team Samoa representing at the Junior Pan-Pacific Championships, though she admitted that Samoa Swimming tries to identify the best matched tournaments for their teams to attend.

"But this opportunity came at the perfect time- post-COVID, borders opening and swimmers ready to show off their hard work in the pool."

"We are so grateful that the Samoa Government, specifically the Samoa Tourism Authority, who provided uniforms and financial sponsorship for the team. 

"We are thankful for our connections with Mana Plantation, Siaosi Meleisea and the greater Samoan community while in Hawaii who provided daily support of food, wares, sports equipment, transportation and logistical support."

"The depth and breadth of our extended support aiga is amazing as with everyone, we can help our young athletes achieve their dreams.

"These trips are not inexpensive, but these trips are critical in developing the next generation of open competitive swimmers for our country.

"Now is the time we invest, plant the correct habits, seed the self-confidence and nourish their goals. Harvest season will come later. Swimmers are patient and know that 2023 will bring podium performances at the 2023 Solomon Island Pacific Games."

Another wonderful testimony for Samoa's ever achieving swimming athletes are two Samoan representatives, Thomas Morriss and Kokoro Frost who are Samoa national open swimmers who participated in the New Zealand National Short Course Championships.

Morriss recovered from a chronic injury and has rejoined the competitive circuit, set a new personal best for himsel.

Frost returned from the Commonwealth Games where his 50m Butterfly time landed him in 12th place at New Zealand nationals with a strong time of 25.08 as well as hitting a new national record in the 100m butterfly hitting a 56.11.

Frost, a powerhouse sprinter, has reclaimed a strong 2022 season with his sights on representing Samoa at the FINA World Short Course Championships in Melbourne at the end of the year.