KAILUA-KONA — On a calm day on the west side of the Big Island, Hawaii Preparatory Academy dominated a light field at Kailua Bay on Saturday, winning three of the six BIIF paddling races.
The day was all about times — and fun — as no points were given after the east side regatta was canceled due to weather for a second straight week. Point totals will begin next week when the west side hosts all schools at Kailua Bay starting at 10 a.m. on Dec. 16.
Teams were also missing several players due to SAT testing.
Hawaii Prep took wins in the varsity boys, JV girls and JV mixed events. Varsity events were a half-mile long and JV events were a quarter-mile.
In the varsity boys race, the team of Daniel Groves, Ford Stallsmith, Kala Thurston, Hunter Ellis, Jeff Farrell and Jake Honl-DeGuair out-paddled Kealakehe by two seconds, winning in a time of 3 minutes and 56 seconds. Parker (4:02) rounded out the top three.
The HPA JV mixed team dominated their competition. The team of Sua Tufuga, Kama Liu, Carter Macy, Holly Hoffbauer, Sophia Bunch and Brianna Ryan finished in a time of 2:07. Parker (2:13) and Konawaena (2:14) rounded out the top three.
The HPA JV girls team of Hoffbauer, Bunch, Leilani Barnes, Malia Honda, Jessi Sohriakoff and Cyndi Alvarez defeated Waiakea —the only east side school to make the trip over — by three seconds, finishing in a time of 2:19. Parker (2:26) rounded out the top three.
All the east side schools were invited to make the trip to the west side after their regatta was canceled, but only Waiakea accepted. The school was rewarded by picking up a victory in the varsity girls race. The team of Courtney Yamaguchi, Kaleki Pakani-Flores, Chelyn Fontes-Pai, Jodyn Takeya, Lanihuli Kanahele and Kaui Pakani-Tsukiyama finished in a time of 4:37.
It was the closest race of the day as a team from Parker finished only a half second behind for second place. Kealakehe (4:46) wrapped up the top three.
Parker, who finished in the top three in every single race, won the varsity mixed event with the crew of Jordan Vedelli, Zane Robertson, Kawehi Kaopuiki, Isis Moorehead, Sarah Mundon and Greg Kim. They defeated a team from Waiakea by two seconds with a time of 4:18. Kealakehe (4:22) wrapped up the top three.
Konawaena picked up a win in the JV boys race. The crew of Orion Smith, Nathaniel Kahihikolu, Rylee Galieto, Ka’anoi Yglesias, Ezra Umiaka-Spencer and Dylan Green finished in a time of 1:55. Wrapping up the top three were Parker (1:57) and Kanu o ka Aina (1:58).