The Vibe: Meet the Swimming Team That Brought Glory to KU in the KUSA Games 2013

From Kenyatta University they are known as the Piranaz

This was the team that dominated the swimming competitions during the KUSA games in Eldoret last year. They scooped more medals than any other team in what was the Team KU. I will do a little piece on each one of them so that you can get to know them better.

The Captain

This is Tim Partari aka Masai. The Captain of the Piranaz for sometime now, for like two years back to back.
As the Captain, this guy is good, swimming that is, he is a common figure in NASA, KUSA games, East Africa Games.
Pssst: He once swam for the YMCA eels. He is AAA fella. During the KUSA games he won the most events (he was the best male category)

They say pics are like 1k words so check this out

The Lady Captain

She is Gathoni Ashley. Has worked as the lady captain for as long as Partari.

She does not settle for good but the best in herself and others. She is not easy to impress, (that's why she is the lady captain I think). She is the English speaking member in this team, who can argue and put her points across in English.

Swam from high school. Been in the team since she was a first year. She has gone for NASA games, East Africa games (in Dar), KSF games and many more. She is good. The girl can swim.

She got endurance like she can swim a lot of events back to back. I don't know her favorite stroke as she swims everything.

She is not all that serious, she is a noisy one when she gets comfortable around you. She is the Pirana Enigma, you think you know bout her but you don't.

The Team Manager

The TM goes by the name Mwangi Githae, he is one charming fellow, doesn't talk much. He is the Gentleman of the team. He has also swam for a long time and the guy is good.

He is an all round kind of guy. He sings in his church's choir, the dude can dance, he is fun to be with and he is the guy the other team mates look up to either to one day beat him (which is like a pipe dream for many), be like him or exceed him which motivates them to work hard.

He has a way with the ladies (don't misquote me), he will get that gloomy gal laughing in two minutes tops. As i said he is charming.

He is humble and you can't know what he is capable of til you see him in action. He is an all rounder and he can swim all strokes but his favorites are backstroke, breaststroke 50 m, freestyle and butterfly 50 m.

If you don't know him you can say he is anti social but that's Mwangi Githae for you. aka Stephen with a 'ph'

TM presenting the swimming trophy from EA games to V.C Mugenda Prof

Esther Chongwo (Treasurer)

The treasurer is the soft spoken, cool almost shy Esther Chongwo.


Chongwo and a team mate

She is the current treasurer. She has swam for long since high school, joined the team as a first year. She has gone to many competitions: NASA where she is a AAA, Development Gala where she emerged the overall winner in the girls category, KSF among others. She is social, cool and u like her yani u don't have to struggle. She is that girl and the boys (team mates) adore her. You can usually see her hanging out with them and having fun.

Pssst: She is a nursing student (with a tyt schedule) we wonder how she manages to balance her studies and to represent with the Piranaz. She is also covers all in swimming like she does backstroke, freestyle, butterfly and breaststroke. She also loves dancing.


Esther (far right with the boys)

You can underestimate her but you will be surprised when she beats you to the finishing line by half a pool. She has been part of this team when other ladies did quit. That's Esther Chongwo and much more.

Maureen Gitiche

You may be disillusioned by her beauty to think she is just a fragile thing that cannot do anything in the pool but brother you are wrong.

She was the star during the KUSA games last year where she scooped gold in all the events she participated in. She even beat the boys to the finishing line in 800 meters freestyle (i know this will not sit well with some of the boys). It is evident that she has swam for a long time. She joined team last year and she is one of the best. She got to participate in NASA, KSF and the KUSA games and there is no stopping this soft spoken attractive girl. She will represent the Piranaz for some years to come. She is an all rounder doing both short and long races. And boy, she got an attractive smile. The boys sure do appreciate her being there. That's Maurine Tish.

She and the lady Capt are especially close, and with Esther Chongwo they are the Piranesses that took over the relays in Eldoret


Maurine with teammates @KSF competitions

Patricia Awori (Trish)

She joined the team last year. She is this soft spoken gal that the team mates came to like and support

She participated in NASA last year, KSF and Development Gala in JKUAT where she did superbly despite her being off the pool for a very long time. This was like her debut, a comeback that was quite impressive. She swims butterfly, freestyle and breaststroke (she doesn't like it though). She is a strong swimmer and great things are in store for her with the Piranaz.


Trish

Nicole Onunda

Nikki; the gal from Westie. She listens to Techno and has a special liking for 'pop danthology'. The girl is good and she has swam for the Piranaz since first year (Sept 2012). She has swam the NASA games for long before she joined the Piranaz.

She is AA and AAA in the NASA competitions. Her principal strokes are freestyle and breaststroke.
She is a good natured girl but the boys at times find it hard to make conversation with her ju they can't manage to keep up the convo in English. She doesn't talk much but she is a friend to all members of the team

She has had several compez with the Piranaz. Quite consistent in training. She was like the only girl who went for the morning run back then.

Nikki looking superb with a friend.

Nikki: "the swimming team members are like family to me. They're very caring people, no one is judgmental and we happen to share a common hobby, swimming. When I am stressed I often go for swimming and it is the only place I can cry without anyone noticing. Moreover the environment is so warm that you are motivated to go back daily"

Esther Kerina
This is a silent girl that is like an enigma with the Piranaz. Not much is known of her especially by this generation of Piranaz that joined recently. She was with the team that represented KU in the 2013 East African games in Dar, TZ. So when we were preparing for the KUSA games she was on the list n jamaaz were wondering how will she perform and we have not seen her swim. The dudes were left speechless when Keri went on to win medals in all the events she participated in. She was also in the relay team that won golds in the events.

Keri (Centre) looking good with friends

And now the boys. This is an interesting bunch. They joined the team almost the same time, they do the same courses. They make this team be lively and they represented the Piranaz from the day they joined the team.

Austin 'Kartel' Simiyu

Fun loving, full of laughter Ohiho Kartel.

A grand hustler, this 3rd year B Comm student has also swam with the Piranaz in many competition like the NASA galas where he is a AA, KSF competitions, Development Gala among others. He is a breaststroker, can swim freestyle competitively.

He is a joker by nature and his laughter is contagious. Is quite sumn with the ladies (as are the other boys). He is that fun part of the team and getting along with this dude is easy. He has a ready smile. He has some years ahead with the Piranaz. Kartel Ohiho!! Photographer extraordinaire he will have the camera on you in the most unlikely of places so beware, walls have eyes.

Paul Omondi 'Omosh'

The Rock listening, Techno loving dude in the Team. This Kakamega Boys alumni joined the Piranaz Team on September 2012.

A week later after joining the team he got to participate in an internal competition where he showed great promise and talent. His principal strokes are backstroke and freestyle. He has gone to KSF, NASA, Development Gala and The KUSA games in Eldoret where he scooped like 5 medals in all the events he participated in.

The fella likes competition and he will do anything in his power to beat you anywhere anytime. He is a storytellers leaving the Piranaz in stitches. He is also an outlet for some Pirana jokes.


Paul Omosh, in white shorts n topless

Omosh and a teammate on a six pack showoff

Fredrick Nyangeri

Freddy is the suit wearer, that dude who at least gives a damn about his appearance. When you meet this smartly dressed dude you will confuse him for the rigid, dull fellas who are always in suits and don know what fun is. He joined the team at the same time as Omosh.

He is a NASA AA in a number of events like backstroke and freestyle. He has swam in several competitions like NASA, Development Gala and the KUSA games where he won two golds in the events he participated in. His worst stroke is breaststroke. He is a serious dude at times and he has a low thresh hold for some jokes thrown at him by his team mates. There are so many things to write about Fred but if u wanna know more just hook up with him, he is one of the coolest dudes you will ever meet plus u will get some free advice.

Rodgers Osano

He joined the team in May last year 2013. This heavily built dude has swam in several competitions like the Development Gala, NASA, KSF and the KUSA games where he scooped three medals in the events he participated in.

He is a breaststoker and is quite good considering the little time he has been with the Piranaz. He is a NASA AA in the events he participated in. He is good natured, loves jokes and he is now part of the Piranaz family. The Boys call him 'Swish'. He is shy when it comes to the ladies. He is almost the gentleman but is rowdy when he is together with his other team mates. He also loves diving from 3 meter high diving board at the Piranaz homeground - KU Swimming pool.

David "styupit" Ongeri

Joined the Team last year. He is a fighter, even though the training sessions were tough he did not quit and now he is one part of the team we never figured out we needed but we can't afford to lose him. He has tremendously grown his swimming skills and endurance. He swam in a gala in JKUAT where he did well. HE is now at par in skill set with many of his team mates.

This die hard Chelsea fan is quite funny and leaves his teammates in stitches. Not one moment will you find him without an article of clothing that has the Chelsea logo or name on it. He loves the ladies and is quite charming they just cannot help like him. He is a humble dude and not many know he is an Electric Engineering student. He has that Kisii accent that however how much he tries he cannot get rid of. This year is a big year for him as he will be able to participate in many competitions like NASA, Development Gala and the KSF.

He also loves diving but its like he is concentrating on perfecting his strokes and the diving board days are almost over. He swims almost all the strokes.

He is a friendly dude and ladies just halla at him ukimwona akipita, you sure will make his day.

Ongeri in the Chelsea t shirt with team mates

Brian Kemboi

This is the sky diving, somersaulting, dare devil in the team. This slender dude who sports one funny hairstyle after the other, is an Econ n Finance 3rd yr but her doesn't look the part. HE joined the team in 2012 September.

He has swam in several Galas (NASA), Development Gala and the KUSA Games where he scooped two medals in the events he participated in. His favorite strokes are butterfly and backstroke. He started out as just a dude who came to the pool and goof off, dive and bask and he eventually joined the team. He is a Liverpool fan. He has something for the ladies, they can't resist him. He is swaggariffic sporting the latest fashion esp in the hip hop field.

Pssst: he fears competitions but he can't help but participate due to the pressure pon him by his teammates.


Brian 2nd from left

Brian (Center)

Tito Plekwa

This tall dashing fella also goes with the name 'Unko". He is an Econ Stat student. He joined the team the same time as Brian. He went on to participate in the internal competitions after a week of joining the team. He and the other team mates showed their prowess and they like dominated the competitions. From there it has been a winning streak for him. He has improved tremendously and he has participated in many competitions like NASA where he is a AA fella, Development Gala, KSF and KUSA games where he scooped two medals in the events he participated in.

He is a ladies man and a go getter. Maneno matam ya kumtoa nyoka pangoni. He is also a noisy dude especially when he is with his pals. King of Mchongoano. Ladies: say hi when you see him.

Geofrey Kiprop

This die hard fan of Arsenal FC joined the team on September 2012. He is one of the best swimmers in the team currently. He has raised his swimming credentials to AAA in some NASA events and AA in others. This year it is given he will take the rest to AAA level. He scooped more than 7 medals in the KUSA games with most of them being gold. This soft spoken, mohawk sporting fella is the silent among that group they joined with the team. He is the gentleman.

He is a cool dude and fun to hang with. During training he is always the last man standing. He an all rounder swimming all events. When you get to know him better, he is one funny dude.

Donald Openda

This a multi-talented, crazy fella aka Chizzy aka Don. Joined the team last year. Apart from being a swimmer he is a comedian, dancer and choreographer. He loves swimming and when at the pool he always takes the moment and entertains the crowd with some dance moves. He is a member of the KUTT. He is one interesting dude who aspires to become a body builder (hehehe)

check this out

Don (left) flexing


Don showing em cubes

Don hanging out with some celebs

Paul Gathu (Gazu)

This hulk of a man stands over six feet tall is what some team mates call 'The Beast'. He joined the team last year. Despite his stocky built and the beastly appearance he is quite harmless. He can be what we call the Gentle Giant.

Her loves laughing and kinda a joker but means business when it comes to swimming. His principal strokes are butterfly and freestyle. He has done NASA galas and KSF where he swam against his brother maze

He loves House Music, techno, hip hop among others. That is the beast for you.

Paul Gazu and the Piranaz

Antony Kamau

This soft spoken fella represents the Piranaz from Ruiru Campus. He is as controversial as they come. He is silent but u never know what crazy things are running in his mind.

He is a backstroker and has gone to NASA,KSF and the KUSA games where he scooped two gold in the events he participated. He is a keyboard player for his church. He is a funny dude to be around with especially when he is picking on Peter Mwanzia.