Trisha Ishikawa always appreciates support in numbers.

As Kaimuki’s lone entrant in yesterday’s Oahu Interscholastic Association swimming finals, the junior showed that it doesn’t take a big number of fans to fuel her success. Ishikawa placed first in the 200- and 500-yard freestyle events at Patsy T. Mink Central Oahu Regional Park.

"I just worked hard and went to practice every day. My teammates really helped a lot. They went to all the meets and cheered for me," said Ishikawa, who had times of 5 minutes, 20.85 seconds in the 500 and 2:00.56 in the 200.

Ishikawa swims with Rainbow Aquatics year round, but at Kaimuki, there are four swimmers total on the team.

"It’s harder ’cause we have a small team and a smaller school, too, but if you work hard, just like any other swimmer, it’s OK," she said.

Ishikawa was a runner-up in both events as a sophomore. She shaved off a second on the 200 free and about 2 seconds on the 500.

"You can never be comfortable. I try not to get too nervous," she added. "I feel relieved."

Another shining star was Kapolei’s Maddie Jamora, who turned in new best times in the 50 freestyle (24.04) and 100 backstroke (58.64).

"We dropped a lot of times," she said of her teammates. "A lot of us got best times."

Jamora, who has grown a few inches in the past couple of years and is now 6 feet, has worked hard to get more out of her length and extension this year, she said.

"I used to cut in more," said Jamora, who is a cousin of former Kahuku defensive end and All-State defensive player of the year Hauoli Jamora.

The state championships are less than two weeks away.

"I don’t know who’s going to swim 50 (freestyle) and 100 backstroke, but there’s definitely going to be competition from ILH teams," she said. "I’ve trained with a lot of coaches and that’s really helped out."

The afternoon sun shined high above the Veterans Memorial Aquatic Center as Mililani’s boys and Kaiser’s girls won the team titles. Kaiser’s depth and success were no surprise.

Freshmen were a big factor, with Corrine Shigeta and Maile Edwards finishing 1-2 in the 100 free and making up half of two first-place relay teams (200 and 400 free). Shigeta added a win in the 100 breaststroke.

Sophomore Kayla Heiss joined the freshmen on those relay victories and won the 200 individual medley, adding a second-place finish in the 100 back.

Mililani’s boys had plenty of depth, too. Freshman Kevin Freifeldt continued his remarkable season by winning the 50 freestyle (22.11) and 100 butterfly (51.82). He’s been on a roll since racking up high-point honors at an age-group state championships in December.

He has continued to train on his own during the swim season, hitting the water for 6 a.m. workouts on Mondays and Fridays in addition to his practices with the team.

"I feel really good. I’ve been getting best times in high school meets," he said, looking back to the age-group meet in December. "It gave me new motivation for the new year," he added.