Tanalei Louis preferred to stay busy and multitask in high school. She was a catcher in softball one year for Konawaena High, and a libero another year in volleyball at Waiakea.
But she was best-suited for the judo and wrestling mats, earning Big Island Interscholastic Federation gold in all seven of her tries.
In college she’s decided to specialize, and she’s keeping herself just as busy.
That’s what happens when Team USA comes calling.
Louis earned a spot on the junior national wrestling team earlier this month, finishing in third place in the 130-pound class at the Body Bar FILA Junior Nationals in Irvine, Texas.
“This is the first time in my life I’ve only focused on one sport,” she said. “In doing so, I never realized how much potential I had. I feel accomplished.”
Even more so than when she won Hawaii High School Athletic Association gold in 2012 while competing for Konawaena judo.
“They say champions are made in the offseason, and that’s definitely true,” Louis said.
Louis was back home in Kailua-Kona last week and taking a break from training every day. She was getting ready for a vacation to the Philippines, but she knows what she’ll do with any down time.
“I’ll definitely take my workout gear with me,” she said. “If I’m not training it feels different. Like, ‘Oh my gosh, I need to go for a run.’”
When she returns she’ll resume training for her first junior world event, which takes place in Canada in August, and when she’s done with competitions it will be time to head back to Oklahoma City University.
Louis credited wrestling with helping her ease the “culture shock” last year after she graduated from Ke Kula o Ehunuikaimalino in Kealakekua and moved away from Hawaii.
“When I slow down, that’s when I get homesick,” she said. “The secret to surviving the mainland is keeping myself busy.”
Oklahoma City University is an NAIA school, but the Stars compete in the Women’s College Wrestling Association and are four-time national champions. In the final rankings in the 123-pound division, the 5-foot-4 Louis, who is studying biology, finished ninth in January.
