Hawaii Says Aloha to First 2021 Verbals from Kira Hobbs, Julianna Penner

Photo Courtesy: Kira Hobbs / Julianna Penner

Kira Hobbs and Julianna Penner verbally commit to the University of Hawaii.

NEW COMMITS: The University of Hawaii, Manoa has scored their first verbal commitments for the fall of 2021 from Littleton, Colo. native Kira Hobbs and Julianna Penner of Calabasas, Calif.

Under head coach Elliot Ptasnik, the Rainbow Warriors clinched their fourth-straight MPSF Championship crowin in 2020.

KIRA HOBBS

Photo Courtesy: Kira Hobbs

Regarding her commitment, she said:

“I am so excited to announce my verbal commitment to the University of Hawaii at Manoa to continue my swimming and academic career. A huge thank you to my family, coaches, and teammates who have all supported me along the way! GO BOWS!!??”

A talented breaststroker, Hobbs does her club swimming with Highlands Ranch Aquatics and registered four top-16 finishes at the Potomac Valley Championships after earning two best times at Juniors West. Last summer, she earned bronze in the 200m breast at Colorado LCM Seniors and finaled in the 100m/200m breast at Des Moines Futures.

Her best times include:

100 breast – 1:03.45
200 breast – 2:18.15
100 free – 52.84

A rising senior at Dakota Ridge High School, Hobbs is a four-time Colorado 4A State Championship finalist. She finished third in the 100 breast and ninth in the 200 IM as a junior while taking seventh and ninth, respectively, in those events during her sophomore campaign.

JULIANNA PENNER

Photo Courtesy: Julianna Penner

Regarding her commitment, she said:

“I am thrilled to announce my verbal commitment to continue my swimming and academic career at the University of Hawaii! It’s a dream to return to the state where I began my life and first learned to swim. I want to thank my family, coaches, teammates, and friends for all their love and support throughout this process. GO BOWS???”

While representing the Venezuelan National Team, Penner raced five events at the 7th FINA World Junior Championships where she earned four best times and placed 25th in the 1500m free.

Her best times include:

500 free – 5:03.78
1000 free – 10:19.41
1650 free – 17:45.44
100 fly – 58.66
200 fly – 2:05.18

Primarily a distance freestyler and butterflyer, Penner trains year-round with Team Santa Monica and most recently finished ninth in the 200 fly at East LA Sectionals. Also competing for View Point High School, Penner finished sixth in the 500 free and 13th in the 100 fly as a sophomore at the CIF Division III Section Championships.

If you have a commitment to share, please send a photo and quote via email to hs@swimmingworld.com.

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Thomas A. Small

3 years ago

Congratulations