Atlanta, Ga.—Members from the University of Hawai'i men's swimming team recently competed in the Toyota U.S. Open Championships from Dec. 4-7 in Atlanta, Georgia.
 
Seven student-athletes made the trip to the east coast of the continental U.S., including seniors David Springhetti, Mateusz Chaba, and Kane Follows, juniors Adam Franz and 'aukai Lileikis, sophomore Talon Lindquist, and freshman Albin Lovgren. Led by head coach Elliot Ptasnik, all seven swimmers aimed to gain more knowledge and experience over the four-day meet.
 
"We were surrounded by great competition," said Ptasnik. "We wanted all of our student-athletes to showcase what they could do on a major stage. The U.S. Open Championships was an event to be seen and go against swimmers who are wanting to make the Olympic team or compete when they're done with their collegiate studies. It was a great experience, and all of them took something away from it."
 
Separate from the usual in-season competition as student-athletes at UH, the U.S. Open was long course racing in terms of meters instead of feet. Every event was in terms of professional distances and the same events as the Olympics. With several Rainbow Warriors competing to one day represent their countries in the Olympics, the four-day event in Atlanta was another step in the direction of advancing them as eventual professionals.
 
"So many countries were represented in the event, and it provided a look at what others are doing to become better," said Ptasnik. "When you're a young swimmer, you're looking for challenges so you can grow. Everyone was challenged, and now they have a better idea of what it takes to keep advancing in the sport."
 
One individual highlight to take away from week was the performance by Lileikis in the 100-yard fly on Saturday. The Honolulu, O'ahu native clocked in with a time of 45.81 in the event, setting a new UH record in the process. Chaba finished just behind Lieikis at 46.31. 
 
On top of Lileikis performance, senior Olli Kokko turned in a solid outing as he competed in Glasgow, Scotland for the European Championships, advancing his status an up and comer on the international scene.
 
The next few weeks will provide a break for the men's team as they won't compete till January when they host Minnesota at the Duke Kahanamoku Aquatic Complex on Jan. 11. The women's team will compete two days prior by hosting Wisconsin. The men's and women's diving teams will have an event right after the new year at home with the Wally Nakamoto Diving Invite from Jan. 3- 5.