BORJA SWIM TIMES BETTER THAN NATIONAL RECORDS

By Patrick Lujan

Swimming sensation Haley Borja is used to breaking records. She’s being doing it since she was 6.

Born on Guam in 2007 to Karl and Catherine Borja, Haley recently broke the University of San Diego’s 100-yard short course backstroke record in 55.52 seconds at the Big West Championships as a freshman.

How fast is that? If you convert that swim into the 100-meter lane, it would be 1:01.62.

For comparative sake, Guam’s shortcourse 100m women’s record is 1:16.35 held by Amanda Poppe set in 2017. Haley’s mark would even surpass the men’s record (Tommy Imazu 1:12.30 in 2014).

Too bad this swim doesn’t qualify for a Guam record.

“She’s been setting records wherever she’s been,” dad Karl said. Haley has been breaking records mostly in the state of Washington at all levels from club, YMCA and several in high school. Now she’s doing it in college.

Let’s take a look at Borja’s other PRs that are faster than Guam records.

100m free (long course)

Borja 1:00.08 (Jul 2024) – Manami Iijima 1:00.87 (Aug 2007)

50m backstroke (long course)

Borja 30.59 (Jul 2024) – Misaki Iijima 31.52 (Feb 2012)

100m backstroke (long course)

Borja 1:06.30 (Jul 2024) – Misaka Iijima 1:07.73 (Feb 2012)

100m IM (short course)

Borja 1:17.46 (May 2019) – Danielle Atoigue 1:20.52 (Dec 2012)

THE BEGINNING

With mom Catherine being an active duty Navy doctor, Haley was born at Naval Hospital. The family’s next duty station was in Italy. That’s where she jumped into the Mediterranean Sea and Guam’s little mermaid came about.

“When we were stationed in Italy, her older sister (Jasmine) and I would jump in the Mediterranean and she wanted to join us, so we gave her lessons, but being 3-4 years old, no one paid her much attention,” Karl recalled. “During swim lessons at 5, the instructor usually gives about 4-5 ft. of space for her to test the stroke. Haley took one stroke and the instructor had to back up another 5 feet, he looked at me, I shrugged, she swam the whole length. When she started competitively, every parent would ask me if they could record her backstroke swims so their kids could copy. She just swims it beautifully.”

It was all downstream from there.

“The speed and competitiveness, she loved being the short island girl destroying taller/bigger competitors,” the dad added.

“I love the discipline and routine I get from swimming,” Haley said. “I think I realized swimming could be something special for me when I went to YMCA nationals for the first time my (HS) sophomore year and finally reached my goal time after working so hard. I realized I liked the feeling of seeing all my hard work pay off.”

PARENTING COMPETITIVE SWIMMERS

Just like millions of families that have put in the grind over the years, the Borjas are no different.

Sisters Jasmine and Haley were competitive athletes throughout their youth and the parents had to find a system to make it work for the entire family.

“It’s definitely a grind. Having two swimmers, one older, usually they would swim in different sessions,” Karl explained. “Early morning warmups, travel time to meet pool, up at 4 am, both girls would go because one would warm up immediately after one’s session would end. And if it’s a big meet, usually 3-5 days of swimming, prelims and finals. So that’s three consecutive sessions several days in a row. But totally worth it, when they build that character, their identity, and their work ethic. It helps when they sign with their D1 school of choice.”

GUAM ON HER MIND

Though she’s live away from the shores of Guam most of her life, Haley never forgets her birthplace and the CHamoru blood that runs through her veins.

She even wishes to represent Guam internationally – if the Guam swimming federation and GNOC permits.

“She’s definitely proud of her heritage and where she’s from. She’s also expressed interest in maybe representing Guam in the 2028 Olympics, if there’s a chance she can qualify,” Karl said.

“It would mean a lot to represent Guam. Being able to swim for my island would make me, my family, and community proud and that would be a huge honor for me! I hope to inspire other young swimmers from Guam to chase their goals, too,” Haley added.

NEW GOALS IN SIGHT

Haley isn’t stopping here. PRs are always a swimmer’s reach – to shave a tenth or hundredth of a second off.

“Be faster than the last race, and get better every day. To continue to score at conference champs and climb up the leader board at NICs, maybe one day make NCAAs. And of course, be an inspiration for young swimmers, especially from the Pacific Islands to dream big and live those dreams.”

FAMILY GENES

It’s no surprise the Haley has some athletic genes. Karl played for the FD Friars football team from 1991-94 and was part of the ’93 and ’94 championship teams. He also participated on FD’s track & field team in 1994 (shot put, javelin, discuss).

Mom Catherine was also quite the athlete, running sprints and middle distance as well as field jumps in high school. Mom is now a retired OBGYN Navy Captain.

The Borja family has since settled in Oak Harbor, WA where they cheer on Haley some 1300 miles south in San Diego.