From TGI Reports The first 18 holes of the Kaua’i Interscholastic Federation individual qualifying tournament — played April 28 at Princeville — were good to Kaua’i High School. Of the top five slots in both the boys’ and girls’ standings,
From TGI Reports
The first 18 holes of the Kaua’i Interscholastic Federation individual qualifying tournament — played April 28 at Princeville — were good to Kaua’i High School.
Of the top five slots in both the boys’ and girls’ standings, the Red Raiders own four.
All golfers are still in the running for the individual crown, however, as the second 18 holes of the qualifier will be played Saturday at Puakea Golf Course.
Kaua’i’s Casey Watabu will carry a five-stroke advantage into the second round after shooting a 1-over-par 73. Teammate Darrin Furusho is his closest challenger. Kapa’a’s Juston Thomas trails Furusho by just one.
“The KIF champion gets to take four golfers to state,” Kaua’i coach Winston Ogata said. “And eight total go, so slots five through eight will be filled based on the finishers at this tournament.”
As for the girls, 10 will qualify for state competition, as per gender equity. As it stands now, Rachel Kyono leads the individual competition, having shot a 3-over-par 75 last Saturday. Teammate Kiilani Matsuyoshi is four strokes behind. Kapa’a’s Jasmine Ornellas is the nearest non-Raider, having fired an 88.
The Red Raider boys won all four KIF team competitions prior to the start of the strike, assuring them of the championship.
“Mathematically, nobody could really catch us,” Ogata said.
Ogata said it was the “fifth or sixth time in a row” that Kaua’i had secured the KIF crown.
The Red Raider girls laid claim to the KIF title by simply stepping onto the course each week. Because Waimea and Kapa’a had trouble fielding the required number of golfers to be eligible for team titles, Kaua’i had a relatively easy time claiming its second consecutive league championship.
“We were fortunate to get the girls out to golf,” Ogata said.
