When Hawaii swimming coach Victor Wales first met Kira Webster about two years ago, she was an Illinois high schooler looking for a chance to walk on.

In time, Wales would invite her back to the islands … with a scholarship offer.

"We kept watching her progress and she kept getting faster and faster," Wales said.

Now a UH freshman, Webster has made an instant impact in the distance events. She opened her college career by winning the 500- and 1,000-yard freestyle in UH’s dual meet at San Diego State. Last week, she placed third in the 500 freestyle and second in the 1,650 freestyle in the A3 Performance Invitational in San Diego, contributing to UH’s fourth-place showing in the 15-team meet.

Webster also made the finals of the 200 freestyle and placed seventh, while UH senior Jasmine Alkhaldi won the event and helped the Wahine place fourth in the 800 free relay.

Class: Freshman
Major: Biology (intended)
Hometown: Bloomington, Ill. 
High school: University
Factually speaking: Competes in the 200- , 500- and 1,650-yard freestyle. … Swam for Redbird Swim Club in Illinois. Set the club record in the 800 freestyle for the 15-18 age group at 8:57.38 at the National Club Swimming Association Summer Championships in August.