The Guam national swim team hopes to ride the momentum from an incredible showing at the 8th Micronesian Games in Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia last year.
The team won a combined total of 55 medals, according to the website foxsportspulse.com
That represents more than half of Guam's total medal count of 81. Swimmers also swept the Outstanding Male and Female Athlete of the Games awards, which were given to Pilar Shimizu (eight gold) and Jagger Stephens (11 gold).
With that type of success, Guam head coach Don San Agustin will be pushing the team to do as well or even better at the Pacific Games.
"We did so well in the Micro Games and, of course, when you go to a higher level you have greater expectations. When you are competing with a greater crowd, there are always greater expectations," San Agustin said. "So the expectation is demanding; the expectation is wider than what we had at the Micro Games; and we're expecting to medal."
San Agustin is well aware that it won't be a cakewalk and that the team's success might have put it in the crosshairs of other teams.
"We're expecting resistance from the other South Pacific countries. Do you think they're going to allow us to get away with things? Of course not. It's going to be a challenge – but we will return the challenge, of course."
Leading San Agustin's group will be his crew of Olympians: Shimizu, Chris Duenas and Benjamin Schulte.
"All three are Olympians so you almost have to expect them to lead the team. They made the cut (to be an Olympian) and if you're cut from a great cloth, then you better put on a good appearance," San Agustin said. "You put on that shirt of leadership, of experience, of knowledge and insight. Not only do you talk the talk, but you walk the walk.
"You can't just be mediocre after you've gotten a taste of (the Olympics)."
And although Stephens is 17 years old, an incoming senior in high school, San Agustin expects him to perform at a higher level during his events.
"He did fantastically well (in Pohnpei), so I'm expecting him to do the same or better," he said.
Shimizu feels the weight on her shoulders, but it's one that she gladly accepts.
"I feel like I have some sort of responsibility to lead and guide the younger swimmers and set a good example," she said.
She isn't the same swimmer who attended the 2011 Pacific Games in Noumea, New Caledonia. Since then Shimizu has competed as a sophomore Blue Jay at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland.
"I gained a lot of experience there, racing against fast people," Shimizu said. "I'm faster, more experienced and I have a better chance of medalling. I would really like to medal in one or both of my breaststroke events."
Along with Shimizu, Schulte gained some experience at the collegiate level. He was a freshman swimmer for the Bryant University Bulldogs in Rhode Island and had an impressive first year.
According to the University's website: "Schulte put together the greatest season for a male swimmer in program history … he won three events in the (Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference) Championships and was named the MAAC Swimmer of the Meet, becoming the first Bulldog to earn that honor. Schulte also qualified for the NCAA 'B' cut twice during the MAACs."
Schulte is working his way back from an injury, and he's trying to be prepared in time for the games.
"I haven't been able to train much breaststroke. It's my prime stroke, so I'm working with physiotherapists to get back on track as quickly as possible," Schulte said. "Until then, I have to just keep working on my fitness."
At 23 years old, Duenas is the eldest in the group, and he does not take his role on Team Guam for granted.
"It means everything, it always has been since my first games in 2007," he said. "Showing other countries we can thrive and proving to ourselves we can strive for greater goals and not settle for (being comfortable) … so we may take it to the next level."
Rounding out the team will be junior swimmers Tommy Imazu (16), Amanda Poppe (15), Tanner Poppe (14) and Mineri Gomez (14)
The Poppes are first cousins and both agree that preparation for the Pacific Games takes dedication.
"Every day we train on certain techniques … that will make us stronger and ready for the 2015 Pacific Games," said Tanner Poppe. "As an athlete, maintaining a healthy diet is a must. Getting enough rest is a must. It has been a struggle, a challenge, a discipline to accomplish these things (and) I have a million other things to accomplish."
Amanda Poppe understands that sacrifices have to be made in order to maintain the training.
"Being motivated has definitely been the hardest part of training for me," she said. "It's also hard to find time for your friends or to unwind when you're training for an event as big as this. Practice has been intense. We put in a lot of hard work, I hope it pays off – and getting up for morning practice is not easy." Gomez agrees.
"It's hard but very fulfilling. Before, we only practice once a day. But to improve our strength and stamina, we practice twice a day (morning and afternoon)," she said.
All four agree that the hard work is worth the price of representing Guam at the Games. Imazu's answer echoes all their feelings.
"Representing (Guam at the) Pacific Games is an honor, especially being selected as one of the younger (swimmers)," Imazu said. "It's not only about how good you do in the competition, but I see it as a great opportunity to know more people and to learn new things."
Similar to the veterans, the four will be highly regarded when they put on the Guam uniform. And their youth will not be a deterrent to their performance, said San Agustin.
"They know how it is when somebody is going to demand and challenge them. Not only because they're friends and they're shaking hands on deck, but when they get in the water – all bets are off."