The KIF track and field season has reached its midpoint, and although Vidinha Stadium’s facilities look as if they’ve been bombarded by a decade-long “Running of the Bulls” stampede, it hasn’t yet harbored a full-fledged competitive meet this season. The
The KIF track and field season has reached its midpoint, and although Vidinha Stadium’s facilities look as if they’ve been bombarded by a decade-long “Running of the Bulls” stampede, it hasn’t yet harbored a full-fledged competitive meet this season.
The cancellation of the County Invitational (blame it on the rain) may have caused fans to lose a prime opportunity to get a first-hand account of how the KIF talent compares with off-island teams, but don’t worry.
The kids have been busy.
The beginning-of-the-season Radford Invitational and the recent meet in Maui have helped develop Kaua’i’s athletes in preparation for the KIF finale and State Championships, and so far, there are a slew of runners, jumpers and throwers who have already put up state qualifying numbers.
This Saturday, the first of three meets will take place at Vidinha Stadium. Coaches consider this a qualifying meet, and it will be hosted by the Kapa’a Warriors and will start at 1 p.m.
Next Thursday, the Rotary Meet will take place at the same track venue. More information about that meet will be reported in future TGI Sports issues.
The KIF Skinny:
The consensus: the best boys are evenly distributed throughout the KIF (although not in terms of numbers: Waimea’s team has 20 boys to Kaua’i’s 32).
“I really can’t tell who’s got the best boys team,” said Ron Velasco, head coach of Kaua’i’s track-and-field team. “We’re going to have to wait and see how the season pans out.”
“Our numbers are down, but our experience is up,” Waimea head coach Tony Bartlett said of his boys team, which has a strong senior squad. “We’re developing well so far this year.”
For the girls, Kapa’a seems to have the talent and the numbers.
“At the practice meets, you see a whole lot of green,” said Red Raider distance coach Richard Matsumura.
But it will still be competitive, nonetheless.
The Short Stuff:
For the boys: It’s hard not to like Waimea’s James Marques, not only because we’ve seen his swift motion on the volleyball court, but because his performance at the Yamamoto Invitational on Maui proves he will be hard to beat on Kaua’i. He’s already qualified for the 200 and 400 (he won the 400 in Maui in the time of 51.8).
Marques’ teammate Kyle Yokoyama will be hard to beat in the 100 (state qualifying and Maui time: 11.3), and he nips at Marques’ feet in the 200 (Maui time: 23.5). Also in the running is Kaua’i’s Bryson Semana, who placed second in the 200 at the Radford meet with a 24.55, and Waimea’s Evan Agor for the 100.
For the girls: Perry Madison seems to be a lock for the girls 400-meter dash, and is teetering just above the qualifying time. Warrior Sharlene Carillo may be the favorite for the 100 and 200, although Madison, and Waimea’s Shenelle Deperalta and Britnee Boeder may have something to say about that.
Kaua’i’s Stacey Sueoka and Kapa’a’s Haley Ham Young will make a run for qualifying times, as well.
The Long Stuff:
For the boys: Waimea’s Scott Matsumura, Kaua’i’s Ben Kimura and Marko Rosen, and Island School’s Mario Rosa will all be competitors in the distance runs. Not sure yet if they are close to state times, but the boys distance races will be fun to watch.
For the girls: Shauna Tachibana is a lock for the long races – the 1500 and 3000 especially. She’s already proved in recent years she is the best distance runner in the KIF, and will probably be the top finisher of all Kaua’i runners at the state level. But for competition’s sake, let’s call those former races “paper times.” Kapa’a’s Le’a Williams and Leanne Nakazawa will be involved in the distance melee, and if they run their best anything can happen.
Jumpin’ and Jivin’:
For the boys:
Hurdles: This will be a good one, and that’s all we know at this point. The favorite is Waimea’s Jerrick Fabro, who has already qualified for state times for both the Triple Jump (Maui distance: 41′ 6″) and 110 Hurdles (Maui time: 16.0). He will get some heat from Kaua’i’s Jonathon Arakaki, who already made state times for the 300 Int. hurdles and is also a force in the triple and long jumps. Kapa’a’s Christian Cook proved all season he can compete with Fabro and Arakaki in the KIF hurdling limelight. He is a half a skip from qualifying for states, and will prove to be a force if he stays healthy.
Long Jump and Triple Jump: Arakaki and Chasen Komoto, who won the Radford meet in the event, will be on top of the KIF long jump event. Hoopster Winnie Arios will also vie for the top spot.
High Jump: Cale Forsen is the man to beat. He already hopped to state times, and now that the unfortunate shark attack incident has Hoku Aki sidelined (for now), Forsen will be a lock for the KIF’s top finisher. Lionel Tomacder is also worthy of noting for this event.
For the girls:
Hurdles: Kandice Cummings is the unanimous favorite for Queen of the hurdles in the KIF. She may be our best representation of girl hurdlers at the state level. If she is going to get any flak from the league, it will be from Warrior Haley Ham Young or Kapa’a’s Tiana Laranio.
Long Jump, High Jump and Triple Jump: Kapa’a likes these events. Jackie Huttger is not only the unanimous high jump champ (already with state times and with KIF record possibilities), she is also a force in the long jump and triple jump. Tiana Laranio may take the triple jump and long jump events, either edging on state times or already there.
The Chuck :
For the boys: Waimea is strong in the discus and shot-put events. Abraham Apilado and Kaina Makua are both closing in on state qualifications. They should be the ones to close in on the KIF, as well. Kapa’a’s Vince Dora may challenge as the season continues.
For the girls: Waimea’s Erin Castillo should rule the KIF in the shot put and discus. Kapa’a’s Esther Figaroa will is the frontrunner to chase her, along with Starlynn Kaupu and Kaua’i’s Ashley Tanaka.
