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Sakamoto Invitational enjoys triumphant return

By Robert Collias 6 min read

KAHULUI -- In so many ways, this Memorial Day weekend was special for Kaimi Matsumoto, Patrick Garduque and Connor Gunderson.

The trio of Maui Swim Club standouts all swam in the Coach Soichi Sakamoto Invitational at the pool that is also named for the legendary coach. 

It is also quite likely the last time for each of them to compete in the only invitational swim meet held annually on Maui -- the 46th annual event was started by another legendary, deceased coach, Spencer Shiraishi.

The event that MSC hosts was the first Sakamoto meet since 2019 because of pandemic concerns that forced it to be canceled the last two years.

For Matsumoto, it was a chance to stay sharp as she prepares for her senior season at Indiana State University. 

She broke two individual school records -- in the 100-yard individual medley and 50 butterfly -- and was also part of two school-record relays at the CSCAA National Invitational Championships in March.

The Sakamoto meet has an extra special place in Matsumoto's heart -- her father Tom Matsumoto was the MSC coach until he died in 2017, and her mom Kiki Matsumoto has taken over the role since then. Shiraishi started MSC and was head coach until he died in 2012 at 87 years old and Tom Matsumoto took over.

"It feels great, it's been about three years since we had this meet," Kaimi Matsumoto said. "It's a very nostalgic meet for me just because I've been doing it ever since I was really young. I've always loved the Sakamoto Invitational just because there's such a great sense of community with this invitational. And, you know, all your family and friends are here, mom, two big brothers. 

"Everyone just pulls together to make it happen and it's really fun and amazing to watch."

Matsumoto has already been offered the chance to stay on her swim scholarship for a fifth year at ISU if she chooses -- she can graduate with an art degree in one year or perhaps add an advanced area of study with a fifth year.

She has made herself at home in Terre Haute, Ind., since being the Maui Interscholastic League Girl Swimmer of the Year in 2018 for Baldwin High School as a junior.

An asthma condition has forced her to concentrate on shorter distances in college, but she has become a team leader for the Sycamores.

"It was a lot to adapt to, but I'm really, really thankful that I was able to swim in college," she said. "And it's really helped me grow and mature as a person. I really am happy and excited about it. I couldn't have done it without all the support I've received throughout the years. 

"It's really nice to just come back and swim for my team every once in a while."

The shy young lady who left Maui three years ago for NCAA Division I swimming in the middle of the Mainland has definitely grown up a bunch.

"It was a big adjustment because not only is it a D-I school, but it's also in the middle of the Midwest and that was such a big change in culture from Hawaii," she said. "So, yeah, but really the friends that I've made along the way have made it worth it and really helped me to grow to love the Midwest."

When she thinks about helping the MSC and Sakamoto meet legacy that was started by Shiraishi and continued by her parents, Kaimi Matsumoto smiles.

"It's fun because in a way I like to think that each individual swimmer is continuing on that legacy as they get older and they continue to come back and support the club," she said. "So, in a way, I kind of see myself as a steppingstone for all the younger kids who have big aspirations.

"Before I left for college, you don't really realize it, but once you leave you realize a lot of the younger kids actually look up to you, want to be like you, so it's really fun to just realize, 'You know, I'm doing it,' for my club, for the younger generation to have someone to look up to and surpass."

She thinks about her father often -- he died when she was a high school sophomore.

"I hope that he's proud that I'm continuing to do it," she said. 

For Gunderson and Garduque, both recent graduates of Maui High and key members of MIL championship teams in 2020 and 2022, the Sakamoto meet was most likely the last time they will swim competitively.

Garduque plans to join the Navy and Gunderson will start his college journey at the University of Hawaii Maui College with plans to pursue nursing and transfer to UH Manoa after two years.

"It's really surprising to me, I haven't really gotten in check with the fact that I've graduated yet," Garduque said. "I have just been cruising with friends. This is my last competitive swim meet. I feel great, mentally I'm just ready to swim out there and give my all."

He reports to Chicago next month for boot camp and schooling in the computer science realm. He plans to attend college after spending time in the Navy.

"Pretty excited to go (to the Navy), I leave in June, so it's quite close. Right now, I'm just mentally ready to go," Garduque said.

Gunderson will miss his friend that he has swam next to for more than half a decade.

"I'm just here to have fun and give back, to give back to what I was devoting the last half of my childhood to," Gunderson said. "It's actually really fun because this was the first meet I ever swam in when I was 13, 14 years old and now I'm back at 18, finishing it up here."

Gunderson glanced at Garduque in the stands during a break on Saturday and reminisced a bit.

"This one, I've been knowing him since the 7th grade, and I'm very happy that I get to go out with him," Gunderson said.

The Sabers boys had not won an MIL team crown since 1994, that is, until Garduque and Gunderson came along to help them do it, twice.

"I'm very proud, I got to swim alongside friends, you know, do our thing, work together, work hard together," Gunderson said.

* Robert Collias is at rcollias@mauinews.com.

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