Sometimes motivation can come from the most unlikely of places.

For Punahou senior ‘Aukai Lileikis, his individual success as a swimmer has carried him to where he is now. However, his new perspective was found with a little help from those around him.

“When I was 12 or 13 I had a really hard time just staying motivated after practice,” Lileikis said. “I wasn’t really into it that much. I was all ‘I hate this sport,’ but later on I found joy with my teammates.”

Lileikis certainly has a swimming pedigree. Both of his parents swam collegiately — his father, Thomas, at the University of Hawaii and his mother, Linda, at the University of New Mexico.

His uncle Joe also swam for UH and was an All-American in 1985.

“My mom and dad have always played a big part in my life,” Lileikis said. “They’ve always been there but not to the point where it’s not too much or too little. I was never forced into it; they always told me that it’s my choice and they’ll support me either way.”

Lileikis found that a gradual approach was what worked best for him.

“I was feeling more satisfied with myself because I was achieving my goals that I set during practice,” he said. “I guess it was all about trying to stay motivated but at the same time just working on super small things and I actually learned a few really good life lessons through it all. Just goal-setting and time management. Everything takes a process to get there.”

That outlook has surely paid off. Lileikis’ accomplishments in the pool include Hawaii state records in the 200 (1:35.62) and 500 (4:24.26) freestyles at last year’s state championships.

In addition to being a member of the Aulea Swim Club, where he picked up 13 wins in 15 events in his age group in December, Lileikis also swims for the National Junior Team. During the 2015 U.S. Speedo Junior Nationals in San Antonio, Texas, his times in the 100 freestyle (50.65 seconds), 200 free (1.49.90) and 200 individual medley (2:04.29) qualified him for the 2016 Olympic trials.

When mentioning the prospect of competing in the Olympics one day, Lileikis said, “That’s definitely a reach goal for me.”

His coach at Punahou, Jeff Meister, sees it as a realistic goal.

“I think he’s got as much potential as anybody. It’s so hard when you get to that level and it becomes so selective that it’s really a challenge. But if anybody would do it, he would do it. He’s certainly got the goods for it.”

For now, with the HHSAA swimming and diving championships coming up this weekend, Lileikis seeks to finish his high school career on top. After that, it’s on to Cal in the fall — he recently signed his letter of intent.

“They had a really good brotherhood, which I’m really big on. I want to be a part of a team that looks out for one another and that’s family-based,” Lileikis said. “That whole program just fit what I was looking for.”

He also hopes the transition is as easy as he makes it look when he glides across the pool.

“He’s an infectious kind of kid that everyone else wants to try to be like and they appreciate the fact that he’s able to work hard and keep a balance of his abilities but still be just a good friend to everybody and do it in a way that’s fun, because he works hard.” Meister said. “But you’d never know from looking at him or talking to him what he puts in.”

THE HIGH SCHOOL TOP 10

Voted on by coaches and media statewide. First-place votes in parentheses. Ten points for first-place votes, nine for second, etc.

Also receiving votes: McKinley 12, St. Francis 2, Waiakea 2, Kahuku 1, Kailua 1.

Also receiving votes: KS-Hawaii 5, Kaiser 4, Farrington 4, Kamehameha 4, Mililani 3, Sacred Hearts 2, KS-Maui 1.

TOP PERFORMERS

Ethan Lewis, Punahou
Paddling
The senior led the Buffanblu to the state championship in the boys race at Keehi Lagoon, grabbing the fourth gold medal of his career. The Buffanblu finished third in the mixed race, ending Lewis’ career one gold short of the standard set by Kamehameha’s Tyler Meditz.

Rhianne Omori, Maryknoll
Girls basketball
The sophomore guard scored 17 of her game-high 28 points in the fourth quarter and two overtime periods in the win over Punahou, including the game-winning layup with eight seconds left. The win clinched the ILH title for the Spartans, and a first-round bye in the state tournament.