KEAAU – Kamehameha’s Kayla Araki did her part, but not even a four-time champion could slow down Kealakehe.
The Waveriders girls held serve, while their boys surged ahead for a sweep Saturday at the BIIF wrestling championships at Koaia Gym.
In three years on the job, coach Ivan Louis’ program has accounted for four of six league crowns.
Kealakehe repeated as the girls champions with six golds: Charlotte Taylor (112 pounds), Danakai Reilly-Gober (122), Gionne Aniban-Morse (132), Isabelle Tayo (138), Maimiti Otare (184), and Roxie Umu (225).
Taylor, a senior, secured a three-peat while Aniban-Morse and Umu repeated.
Taylor took third as a freshman at Honokaa and is already looking forward to her future.
“It’s really great to show all my hard work,” she said. “I got accepted into the Air Force Academy, and I’ll be in the 2021 class. My whole family is in the Army.
“Last year at states, I got fourth. I’m hoping to get third or better.”
Keaau senior Ivory Ayers also pulled off a three-peat in the 168 class, beating Konawaena’s Kapoina Bailey.
Kamehameha, which placed second (184.5 points to 177), produced five gold medalists: Mia Lum (102), Ashley Falces (107), Kaua Albino-Kaupu (117), Kasey Pule (127), and Araki (155).
Lum and Pule repeated while Albino-Kaupu changed her medal color from last year’s silver.
Kealakehe’s boys denied Kamehameha’s bid for consecutive BIIF titles, winning 193 points to 184.5.
The Waveriders had five gold medalists: Kobby Faeldonea (106), Elison Galanto (126), Jacson Miles (138), Malosi Abraham (182), and Radon Miles (195).
The Warriors had four gold medalists: Ka’au Estrella (132), Manu Wengler (145), Brendan Figueroa (160) and Joseph Hooper (285).
Faeldonea and Galanto repeated for the Waveriders, while Estrella, Wengler and Figueroa did so for Kamehameha.
4 for 4
Araki, a senior, polished her BIIF wrestling career with perfection, going 4 for 4 in the championships.
She pinned Kealakehe’s Tianna Avanila in the first round for the 155 title
“There was a lot of pressure on me this year to complete that medal collection,” Araki said. “I really, really wanted to get on the mat, but I sprained my ankle during practice and was on crutches for the week. Every single day, I came in for rehab.
“It was just so emotional for me. It’s my last year, and my teammates have helped me, my family supported me, and I wouldn’t be here without my trainer (Amy Shirk).”
Araki can’t match the BIIF legacy of 2012 Kamehameha graduate Megan Aina, who won 8 of 8 league golds in wrestling and judo and a HHSAA state crown in each as well.
But at least, Araki can come close and possibly top Aina with more state gold.
She’s now 6 for 6 at BIIFs in the two sports and already has a judo state gold, won last year after two earlier state bronze finishes.
Araki also has a pair of state bronzes in wrestling with only gold missing. She moves one step closer to her mission of medal collection at the state tournament, which will be held Feb. 17-18 on Oahu.
The BIIF hasn’t produced a state gold wrestling medalist the past three years, the longest drought since 1979-81. Welina Tong, a 2013 Kamehameha graduate, won gold at 175 pounds in 2013.
When judo starts in the spring, Araki can shift her attention to capping her BIIF career with a 7 of 7 mark. Concussion symptoms sidelined her from the BIIF judo championships her freshman season.
Best battle
Kamehameha’s Pule and Kealakehe’s Berri Lagmay were the only defending champs to face off. Lagmay won BIIF gold at 122 pounds last year and Pule was the defending league 127-pound champion.
Pule won 7-5 in overtime to earn her lone victory against Lagmay, who won the two previous matches.
“She’s the only person I couldn’t beat,” said Pule, who took bronze as a sophomore. “At practice I would take shots, but in matches I wouldn’t. I was scared to get sprawled on. But she took a shot, and I caught her, got her back and my two points (for the win).
“I’m kind of glad that she beat me twice. It reminded me that I have things to work on. She was my best competition and helped me for states. She’s really tough, and she made me better. I respect her.”
No pin today
One of the most intense matches was the showdown between Hilo senior Wela Mamone and Konawaena’s Dominic Dela Cruz in the 152-pound class. Last year, Mamone took third at 160 and Cruz was fourth at 152.
Mamone defeated Dela Cruz on points, 5-2, and it was an up-and-up match that could have turned either way with one mistake.
“I wanted to make it quick and pin him in the first round,” Mamone said. “But he was really strong. I got him in a half-nelson, stayed on top of him, and tried not to let him get up.
“I knew I couldn’t get the pin. Sometimes, you just gotta do what you gotta do to win.”
Hilo’s other champions were Chris Kubota (220) and Asi Holika (145), while Waylon Spain (113) and Johnny Tunufai (120) won titles for Waiakea.