Kamehameha’s Meagan Kualii had a very busy day competing in the fourth BIIF track and field meet of the season on Saturday at Hawaii Preparatory Academy. Kualii competed in five events at the meet, the 100-meter dash, 100-hurdles, 4×100-relay, triple jump and long jump.
The long jump is where the Kamehameha senior excels. After achieving her personal best jump of 17 feet 6.5 inches two meets ago at Keaau High School, Kualii bested the field with 16-11.5 inches, despite competing in two events prior for the first time in her career.
“I was cramping in my jumping leg which usually happens if I am competing in multiple events. It is a problem I have had for a long time, but the jumps went well,” Kualii said. “It was different, but I am happy with it.”
Kualii won the long jump by more than a foot, beating out Waiakea’s Thelma Marshall, who jumped 15-10.5. Hawaii Prep’s Kau’i Taylor rounded out the podium by clearing a distance of 15-10.
Prior to the long jump, Kualii competed in both the 100-dash and the 100-hurdles. She finished fourth in the 100 with a time of 13.24. Hawaii Prep’s Emma Taylor took first in the 100-dash with a time of 12.85. She was followed by Kealakehe’s Alysa Gamache (12.95) and Kamehameha’s Saydee Aganus (13.14).
Even more impressively, Kualii placed first in her heat and third overall in her debut running of the 100-hurdles.
“I had never done hurdles in my life,” Kualii said. “I didn’t practice. I just threw myself out there because I wanted to try it.”
Kualii finished in a time of 17.28. She was among familiar foes, as Taylor earned her second first place finish of the day in a time of 15.44. Aganus placed second at 16-00.
Taylor went on to claim three victories, after taking first in the 300-hurdles in a time of 47.06.
Kualii wrapped up her day with the triple jump and 4×100 relay race.
She finished second in the triple jump with a distance of 34-09. Kealakehe’s Nicole Cristobal placed first with a distance of 35-11.
The Kamehameha relay team placed third in a time of 52.96, just behind Kealakehe (51.26) and Konawaena (52.71).
“I am proud of my team,” Kualii said. “We have three new girls from last year, all beginners, and we did really well.”
Picking up points in all five events, Kualii was instrumental in her team’s second place finish at the meet. Kamehameha picked up 95 points, trailing only Hawaii Prep’s 134. Kealakehe finished third with 91 points.
Mutlisport athletes
High schools are not short on multisport athletes and track is filled with competitors wishing to stay in shape and find that competitive edge. On Saturday, two such athletes took a pair of first place finishes in the boy’s throwing events.
Waiakea’s Ridge Quitoriano won the shot put with a toss of 46-11.75. He beat out a pair of Hilo placers in Cody Raymond (44-0.5) and David Pakele (43-0). Quitoriano, a senior, also plays offensive and defensive line for the football team, but now is track season and he is hungry to get better.
“I am pleased with my throws but not yet satisfied,” Quitoriano said. “I have done well, and this is my second win, but I just want to be one of those boys in the state over 50.”
Quitoriano also competed in the discus, placing fourth overall with a throw of 123-04. He admits that he likes the shot put much more and says he is still trying to get his spin down in the discus.
“It’s kind of win or lose right now,” Quitoriano said. “It is either really bad or really good.”
Taking first in the discus was Kamehameha’s Brandyn Lee-Lehano. The junior dominated the field with a throw of 144-02. Hilo’s Pakele was a distant second with a throw of 132-09, followed by Waiakea’s Isaiah K-Aloha in third at 123-08.
Lee-Lehano, who also plays baseball, has three first place finishes and a second place finish in the discus this season. He is a designated hitter and pitcher for the Warriors and said that he likes the discus because it relates to baseball with the the use of the hips and turning.
Lee-Lehano’s throw on Saturday was a personal best, but he downplayed his achievement afterward.
“I felt my technique and throws were good today,” Lee-Lehano said. “The wind helped, but I feel I am making progress.”
Both throws were a big part of an overall solid team performance. Quitoriano helped lead his team to a first place finish with a dominating 117 points. Lee-Lehano’s Kamehameha finished second with 78 points. Konawaena rounded out the podium with 71.25 points.