Kealakehe water polo standout Skyler Hudson is this week’s West Hawaii Today Athlete of the Week.
Hudson — one of the Waveriders senior captains — has helped lead Kealakehe into uncharted waters. The Waveriders first feat was upsetting seven-time defending BIIF champion Kamehameha-Hawaii in the league semifinals, giving the program a shot at its first title in the sport. Hudson had six goals in that game, including two in the fourth quarter.
The Waveriders’ run was stuffed by HPA in the championship game. However, the season was far from over.
On Monday, Kealakehe beat Kaiser 9-6 in a first round HHSAA tournament game. Outside of a pair of consolation bracket victories, it was the first for the Waveriders in school history in the state tourney. Hudson had a hat trick to help lead the ‘Riders.
“Coming into the season with only four returning starters, we were just hoping for the best,” Hudson said after the game. “No matter how far we go from here, I don’t think any of us could have asked for a better season.”
Kealakehe faces the No. 2 seed Kahuku today on Oahu in the quartefinals.
Do you know a local youth athlete that deserves to be named Athlete of the Week? Let us know by emailing sports@westhawaiitoday.com with the suggestion and a few sentences why.