• Time flies after turkey day Time flies after turkey day By Duane Shimogawa Jr. – The Garden Island The last slices of turkey are slowly making its way between the last slices of bread, the leftover stuffing is down
• Time flies after turkey day
Time flies after turkey day
By Duane Shimogawa Jr. – The Garden Island
The last slices of turkey are slowly making its way between the last slices of bread, the leftover stuffing is down to just two bites, the gravy is all but gone, and you’re just getting over that familiar “full” feeling you get after every Thanksgiving meal.
Yes it’s the unofficial start of the holdiay season and now it’s over!
Before you know it, you’ll be sweeping up the red paper from the fireworks, while mistakingly writing 2004 on each check.
As the year comes to a close, and yes I’m saying that and it’s only the 28th of November, I pay close attention to the wrap-up in the year in sports.
I usually throw away my remote by this time of the year and keep it locked on ESPN, as they look back on the best, worst, and the great stories in sports that inspires us all.
Here at home, 2004 has been the year of the Red Raiders. Kaua‘i High School proved to be the the kings of the KIF, capped off with two state high school golf titles.
However, it all started with the Kaua‘i High School football team, who won its second consecutive KIF title.
Ironically, their magical ride ended just two days ago at an embarrassing venue at Moanalua High School.
AM 570’s “Anahola” Joe did a terrific job describing the field and its conditions, which lacked yardage markers.
Whatever the reason for the mishap, it should be fixed right away and we all hope, including Kaua‘i head coach Keli‘i Morgado, that it doesn’t happen again.
The players deserve more than that and it must’ve been disheartening for the KIF champion Red Raider squad and the OIA’s Campbell Sabers, who worked so very hard to get to the state division II semifinal game.
But getting back to the KIF’s year in sports, it was the Red Raider volleyball squads that took the lead from the football team to earn KIF titles.
The Kaua‘i boys and girls teams also flourished at the state level, with the boys getting fifth-place and the girls snatching up the consolation spot.
Waimea put some blue in the picture with wins in girls bowling and girls air riflery.
In the meantime, Kaua‘i claimed the boys bowling and boys air riflery titles.
The Kaua‘i girls cross-country team, led by 12th-place state finisher Chelsea Smith-Wishard, took the KIF championship and the Island School boys dominated the male races.
Soccer is up next with the season opener on December 4, with Kaua‘i facing Kapa‘a at Vidinha Stadium.
Then softball follows with its season opener on December 8, as Kapa‘a travels to Isenberg Park to take on Kaua‘i.
Boys basketball tips off on January 4, with Kapa‘a and Kaua‘i battling at the Raiderdome. Swimming will be on tap on January 8 at Island School for KIF Relays.
January 22nd is the start of the canoe paddling regular season at Wailua River, and those cheerful girls go for the KIF crown on February 26 at the Raiderdome.
Got enough sports yet?
Duane Shimogawa Jr., Sports Editor can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 257) and kauaisports@pulitzer.net
