“I have recommended both Cadientes to be on the regional team” Kaua’i’s Cadiente duo may be representing the island at a national level. The Garden Island’s Kathleen and Kevin Cadiente performed remarkably well at the July 7 Hawai’i Recreation and
“I have recommended both Cadientes to be on the regional team”
Kaua’i’s Cadiente duo may be representing the island at a national level.
The Garden Island’s Kathleen and Kevin Cadiente performed remarkably well at the July 7 Hawai’i Recreation and Park Association Youth Track and Field Meet on Oahu. The event is part of the Hershey’s Youth Program national competition that brings together the best young track and field athletes in the nation.
State chairperson Dennis Arakaki said that “over 450 kids were in attendance.” He approximated that “there were about 12 from Kaua’i.”
“Considering the small numbers that Kaua’i had over here, they did very well,” Arakaki said.
The Cadientes, though, stood head and shoulders above the rest.
Competing in the boys’ 13/14 age group at Punahou High School, Kevin won the 100- and 200-meter dash and the standing long jump.
In the girls’ 9/10 age group, Kathleen won the 50- and 100-meter dash as well as the standing long jump.
“I have recommended both Cadientes to be on the regional team,” Arakaki said. “If their times are anywhere near the top then they will go.”
Hawai’i is in the Pacific Southwest Regional with California, Nevada and Arizona.
“Each state will send a minimum of five kids,” Arakaki said. “So, I have a good feeling about these two.”
Kevin ran the 100 dash in a time of 12.67 seconds, more than a full second faster than the second-place finisher. He won the 200 dash in a time of 25.44, again nearly a second faster than second place. His winning leap in the standing long jump was 8’1-1/2″.
Kathleen was equally impressive. She won the 50 dash in 7.92 seconds. Her 100 dash time of 15.38 was over a second better than the second-place finisher. At 6’8-1/4,” she bested the competition by over five inches.
Other Kaua’i competitors who finished in the top eight of various events were:
9/10 girls: Krista Speroni, second 200 dash, 35.68; third standing long jump, 6’1″
9/10 boys: Sheldon Costa, 50 dash, 8.10; third 100 dash, 15.78
11/12 girls: Tiffany Ikeda-Simao, third 100 dash, 14.91; eighth 200 dash, 32.86; second standing long jump, 6’9″
11/12 boys: Drake Apao, third 100 dash, 14.70; third standing long jump, 7’3/4″; Donovan Refamonte, seventh 200 dash, 34.20
13/14 girls: Ann Gucwa-Bucacas, first 100 dash, 13.70; fifth 200 dash, 30.06; Melissa Moreno, second softball throw, 140’6″.
